No effect of the farming system (organic/conventional) on the bioavailability of apple (Malus domestica Bork., cultivar Golden Delicious) polyphenols in healthy men: a comparative study.
BACKGROUND
The organic food sales have been increasing during the recent years. It has been hypothesised that organically grown fruits are healthier based on their higher content of phytochemicals. However, data on the bioavailability of phytochemicals from organically or conventionally produced plant foods are scarce.


METHODS
Two human intervention studies were performed to compare the bioavailability of polyphenols in healthy men after ingestion of apples from different farming systems. The administered apples were grown organically and conventionally under defined conditions and characterised regarding their polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity. No significant differences in the polyphenol content and the antioxidant capacity from the organic and conventional farming system were observed.


RESULTS
In the short-term intervention study, six men consumed either organically or conventionally produced apples in a randomized cross-over study. After intake of 1 kg apples, phloretin (C (max) 13 + or - 5 nmol/l, t (max) 1.7 + or - 1.2 h) and coumaric acid (C (max )35 + or - 12 nmol/l, t (max) 3.0 + or - 0.8 h) plasma concentrations increased significantly (P < 0.0001) in both intervention groups, without differences between the two farming systems. In the long-term intervention study, 43 healthy volunteers consumed organically or conventionally produced apples (500 g/day; 4 weeks) or no apples in a double-blind, randomized intervention study. In this study, 24 h after the last dosing regime, the apple intake did not result in increasing polyphenol concentrations in plasma and urine compared to the control group suggesting no accumulation of apple polyphenols or degradation products in humans.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study suggests that the two farming systems (organic/conventional) do not result in differences in the bioavailability of apple polyphenols.
Stracke
Berenike A
BA
Department of Physiology and Biochemistry of Nutrition, Max Rubner-Institute, Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food, Haid-und-Neu-Str. 9, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany.
Rüfer
Corinna E
CE
Bub
Achim
A
Seifert
Stephanie
S
Weibel
Franco P
FP
Kunz
Clemens
C
Watzl
Bernhard
B
D000328:Adult; D000383:Agriculture / Q000379:methods*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis; D001682:Biological Availability; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000652:urine; D058870:Food, Organic; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D027845:Malus / Q000737:chemistry*; D010636:Phenols / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000652:urine; D059808:Polyphenols; D013997:Time Factors
D000975:Antioxidants; D005419:Flavonoids; D010636:Phenols; D059808:Polyphenols