title: The microbial metabolism of condensed (+)-catechins by rat-caecal microflora.
abstract: The metabolism of 2,3-trans-3,4-trans-3,5,7,3',4'-pentahydroxy-4-(2,4,6-trihydrox yphenyl)-flavan and 2,3-trans-3,4-trans-3,5,7,3',4',-pentahydroxy-4-(2,3-trans-3,5,7,3 ', 4'-pentahydroxyflavanyl-[8])-flavan in vitro by rat-caecal microflora was investigated. Metabolites were extracted and enriched by column chromatography and preparative h.p.l.c., while structural determination was carried out using comparative g.l.c.-mass spectrometry and p.m.r. spectrometry. The metabolites identified were derivatives of benzoic acid, phenylacetic acid, phenylpropionic acid and phenyllactic acid in addition to phloroglucinol, delta-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-gamma-valerolactone and 1-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(2,4,6-trihydroxyphenyl)-propan-2-ol. An additional metabolic route, which differs from the expected severance of the (+)-catechin-phloroglucinol bond and well-documented total heterocyclic ring degradation of flavanoids, is proposed.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001578:Benzopyrans / Q000378:metabolism*; D001711:Biotransformation; D002392:Catechin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism*; D002432:Cecum / Q000382:microbiology*; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000378:metabolism; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013237:Stereoisomerism
chemical_list: D001578:Benzopyrans; D005419:Flavonoids; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D002392:Catechin