Targeted analysis of conjugated and microbial-derived phenolic metabolites in human urine after consumption of an almond skin phenolic extract

J Nutr. 2010 Oct;140(10):1799-807. doi: 10.3945/jn.110.124065. Epub 2010 Aug 25.

Abstract

A single-blind, placebo-controlled, and randomized trial study was carried out with 16 healthy volunteers (7 men and 5 women). The test group ingested an encapsulated almond skin phenolic extract (884 mg of total polyphenols/dose) containing flavan-3-ols, flavonols, and flavanones, whereas the placebo group ingested microcrystalline cellulose. Our aim in this study was to determine changes in the urinary excretion of conjugated and microbial-derived phenolic metabolites before (-2 to 0 h) and after (0-2, 2-6, 6-10, and 10-24 h) intake of the almond polyphenols compared with the placebo group. For the test group, maximum urinary excretion of (epi)catechin and naringenin conjugates derived from phase II metabolism was attained at 2-6 h after consumption of the almond skin extract and excretions differed from the placebo group during this time period (P ≤ 0.0001). However, excretion of conjugated metabolites of isorhamnetin was highest at 10-24 h and did not differ from the placebo group during this time (P > 0.05). Hydroxyphenylvalerolactones reached maximum urinary levels at 6-10 h after consumption of almond polyphenols, and excretion differed from the placebo group during this time period (P = 0.0004). For the test group, excretions of phenolic acids (hydroxyphenylpropionic, hydroxyphenylacetic, hydroxybenzoic, and hydroxycinnamic acids) did not differ from the placebo group at any time period of urine collection (P > 0.05). The findings presented in this work provide evidence concerning the bioavailability of almond skin polyphenols considering the effects of both phase II and microbial metabolism.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bacteria / metabolism*
  • Biological Availability
  • Colon / microbiology
  • Female
  • Flavanones / administration & dosage
  • Flavonoids / administration & dosage*
  • Flavonoids / metabolism
  • Flavonoids / pharmacokinetics*
  • Flavonoids / urine
  • Flavonols / administration & dosage
  • Flavonols / urine
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Phenols / administration & dosage
  • Phenols / pharmacokinetics
  • Placebos
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage*
  • Polyphenols
  • Prunus / chemistry*
  • Quercetin / analogs & derivatives
  • Seeds / chemistry*

Substances

  • Flavanones
  • Flavonoids
  • Flavonols
  • Phenols
  • Placebos
  • Plant Extracts
  • Polyphenols
  • 3-methylquercetin
  • flavan-3-ol
  • Quercetin