In vitro faecal fermentation of monomeric and oligomeric flavan‐3‐ols: catabolic pathways and stoichiometry

Di Pede, G., Bresciani, L., Brighenti, F., Clifford, M. N., Crozier, A., Del Rio, D. and Mena, P. (2022) In vitro faecal fermentation of monomeric and oligomeric flavan‐3‐ols: catabolic pathways and stoichiometry. Molecular Nutrition and Food Research, 66(21), 2101090. (doi: 10.1002/mnfr.202101090) (PMID:35107868)

Abstract

Scope: The study evaluated the influence of flavan-3-ol structure on the production of phenolic catabolites, principally phenyl-γ-valerolactones (PVLs) and phenylvaleric acids (PVAs). Methods and results: A set of 12 monomeric flavan-3-ols and proanthocyanidins (degree of polymerisation (DP) of 2–5), were fermented in vitro for 24 h using human faecal microbiota, and catabolism was analysed by UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS. Up to 32 catabolites strictly related to microbial catabolism of parent compounds were detected. (+)-Catechin and (−)-epicatechin had the highest molar mass recoveries, expressed as a percentage with respect to the incubated concentration (75 μmol L–1) of the parent compound, for total PVLs and PVAs, both at 5 h (about 20%) and 24 h (about 40%) of faecal incubation. Only A-type dimer and B-type procyanidins underwent the ring fission step, and no differences were found in total PVL and PVA production (≃ 1.5% and 6.0% at 5 h and 24 h faecal incubation, respectively) despite the different DPs. Conclusion: The flavan-3-ol structure strongly affected the colonic catabolism of the native compounds, influencing the profile of PVLs and PVAs produced in vitro. This study opens new perspectives to further elucidate the colonic fate of oligomeric flavan-3-ols and their availability in producing bioactive catabolites.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Crozier, Professor Alan
• Authors: Di Pede, G., Bresciani, L., Brighenti, F., Clifford, M. N., Crozier, A., Del Rio, D., and Mena, P.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: Molecular Nutrition and Food Research
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 1613-4125
• ISSN (Online): 1613-4133
• Published Online: 02 February 2022
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2022 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Molecular Nutrition and Food Research 68(21): 2101090
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License