Abstract:Cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G) is the most widely distributed anthocyanin in nature, rich in fruits, vegetables and cereals, which has many biological activities such as anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory activities and maintaining visual health, and is of great interest in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Extraction and purification are important steps in the utilization of C3G, and C3G is susceptible to loss of its original color and biological activities during storage and processing by external environment. Therefore, to promote the application of C3G in the food field, this paper summarizes the contents of C3G in different foods and common extraction and purification methods, outlines the physiological functions of C3G such as anti-oxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and maintenance of visual health, and introduces the stabilization techniques of C3G in terms of both biomacromolecular complexation and molecular modification to provide a theoretical basis for future research and comprehensive exploitation of C3G.