title: Comparing procyanidins in selected Vaccinium species by UHPLC-MS(2) with regard to authenticity and health effects.
abstract: Cranberry procyanidins have been associated with an effect against urinary tract infections (UTI) for decades, and European health claims are requested. This study compares the procyanidin profiles and concentrations of American cranberry ( Vaccinium macrocarpon  Ait.), European cranberry ( Vaccinium oxycoccus  L.), and lingonberry ( Vaccinium vitis-idaea  L.) analyzed using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatoraphy coupled to a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer with electrospray interface (UHPLC-MS(2)). Concentrations of A-type trimers, procyanidin A2, catechin, epicatechin, and B-type dimers and trimers have been evaluated and compared for the first time in the three berries. The data clearly show remarkable differences in the procyanidin profiles and concentrations, especially the lack of A-type trimers in V. oxycoccus; thus, the effectiveness against UTI may vary among the Vaccinium species. These differences can be used to prove authenticity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences - Food Chemistry,  University of Bonn , Endenicher Allee 11-13, 53115 Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Elvira
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jungfer
authors.forename: Benno F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Zimmermann
authors.forename: Axel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ruttkat
authors.forename: Rudolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Galensa
mesh_terms: D002392:Catechin / Q000032:analysis; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D019281:Dimerization; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000032:analysis; D005504:Food Analysis / Q000379:methods; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D044945:Proanthocyanidins / Q000032:analysis*; D013045:Species Specificity; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000178:diet therapy; D029796:Vaccinium / Q000737:chemistry*; D029799:Vaccinium macrocarpon / Q000737:chemistry; D029801:Vaccinium vitis-idaea / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D005419:Flavonoids; D044945:Proanthocyanidins; C542735:procyanidin A2; C404987:flavan-3-ol; D002392:Catechin