title: Phenolic sulfates as new and highly abundant metabolites in human plasma after ingestion of a mixed berry fruit purée.
abstract: Bioavailability studies are vital to assess the potential impact of bioactive compounds on human health. Although conjugated phenolic metabolites derived from colonic metabolism have been identified in the urine, the quantification and appearance of these compounds in plasma is less well studied. In this regard, it is important to further assess their potential biological activity in vivo. To address this gap, a cross-over intervention study with a mixed fruit purée (blueberry, blackberry, raspberry, strawberry tree fruit and Portuguese crowberry) and a standard polyphenol-free meal was conducted in thirteen volunteers (ten females and three males), who received each test meal once, and plasma metabolites were identified by HPLC-MS/MS. Sulfated compounds were chemically synthesised and used as standards to facilitate quantification. Gallic and caffeic acid conjugates were absorbed rapidly, reaching a maximum concentration between 1 and 2 h. The concentrations of sulfated metabolites resulting from the colonic degradation of more complex polyphenols increased in plasma from 4 h, and pyrogallol sulfate and catechol sulfate reached concentrations ranging from 5 to 20 μm at 6 h. In conclusion, phenolic sulfates reached high concentrations in plasma, as opposed to their undetected parent compounds. These compounds have potential use as biomarkers of polyphenol intake, and their biological activities need to be considered.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa,Avenida da República, EAN,2781-901Oeiras,Portugal.
authors.forename: Rui C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Pimpão
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa,Avenida da República, EAN,2781-901Oeiras,Portugal.
authors.forename: M Rita
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Ventura
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa,Avenida da República, EAN,2781-901Oeiras,Portugal.
authors.forename: Ricardo B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds,LeedsLS2 9JT,UK.
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Williamson
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa,Avenida da República, EAN,2781-901Oeiras,Portugal.
authors.forename: Claudia N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Santos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D029798:Blueberry Plants / Q000737:chemistry; D002396:Catechols / Q000097:blood; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D031985:Fragaria / Q000737:chemistry; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010636:Phenols / Q000097:blood*; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000097:blood; D011748:Pyrogallol / Q000097:blood; D065856:Rubus / Q000737:chemistry; D013431:Sulfates / Q000097:blood*; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry
chemical_list: D002396:Catechols; D010636:Phenols; D059808:Polyphenols; D013431:Sulfates; D011748:Pyrogallol; C034221:catechol
keywords: Sulfates