title: High-Molecular-Weight Proanthocyanidins in Foods: Overcoming Analytical Challenges in Pursuit of Novel Dietary Bioactive Components.
abstract: Proanthocyanidins (PACs) are an abundant but complex class of polyphenols found in foods and botanicals. PACs are polymeric flavanols with a variety of linkages and subunits. Connectivity and degree of polymerization (DP) determine PAC bioavailability and bioactivity. Current quantitative and qualitative methods may ignore a large percentage of dietary PACs. Subsequent correlations between intake and activity are hindered by a lack of understanding of the true PAC complexity in many foods. Additionally, estimates of dietary intakes are likely inaccurate, as nutrient databank values are largely based on standards from cocoa (monomers to decamers) and blueberries (mean DP of 36). Improved analytical methodologies are needed to increase our understanding of the biological roles of these complex compounds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Technology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24060; email: andrewn@vt.edu , okeefes@vt.edu.
authors.forename: Andrew P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Neilson
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Technology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24060; email: andrewn@vt.edu , okeefes@vt.edu.
authors.forename: Sean F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: O'Keefe
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706; email: bwbolling@wisc.edu.
authors.forename: Bradley W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Bolling
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D001682:Biological Availability; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D004032:Diet; D004063:Digestion; D005504:Food Analysis / Q000379:methods; D006293:Health Promotion; D015394:Molecular Structure; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D058105:Polymerization; D044945:Proanthocyanidins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D044945:Proanthocyanidins
keywords: MALDI; bioactivity; bioavailability; mass spectrometry; normal-phase HPLC; thiolysis