title: Stability and metabolism of Arbutus unedo bioactive compounds (phenolics and antioxidants) under in vitro digestion and colonic fermentation.
abstract: The natural antioxidants of Arbutus unedo highlight the importance of this fruit as natural source of bioactive compounds. In the present study, to evaluate the stability of phenolic compounds, ascorbic acid and fat-soluble antioxidants (α-tocopherol, β-carotene and lutein), in vitro gastrointestinal digestion was applied to A. unedo fruit. After that, the non-absorbable fraction was anaerobically incubated with human faeces and the metabolic pathway for gallotannins, ellagitannins, flavan-3-ols and anthocyanins from A. unedo fruit was proposed. The results showed that the presence of pectin from the fruit hampered the solubilization of the phenolic compounds (with exception of gallic and ellagic acids) and fat-soluble vitamins during gastric digestion. Degradation of pectin-gel during the duodenal digestion favored the release of the phenolic compounds and fat-soluble antioxidants to the media. The catabolic activity of human microbiota led to the generation of a wide range of simple phenols, such as p-hydroxybenzoic acid and catechol, derived from the catabolism of gallotannins, ellagitannins, flavan-3-ols and anthocyanins.
authors: Food Technology Department, Agrotecnio Research Center, University of Lleida, Av/Alcalde Rovira Roure 191, 25198 Lleida, Spain.
authors: Juana I
authors: JI
authors: Mosele
authors: Food Technology Department, Agrotecnio Research Center, University of Lleida, Av/Alcalde Rovira Roure 191, 25198 Lleida, Spain.
authors: Alba
authors: A
authors: Macià
authors: Food Technology Department, Agrotecnio Research Center, University of Lleida, Av/Alcalde Rovira Roure 191, 25198 Lleida, Spain.
authors: Mari-Paz
authors: MP
authors: Romero
authors: Food Technology Department, Agrotecnio Research Center, University of Lleida, Av/Alcalde Rovira Roure 191, 25198 Lleida, Spain. Electronic address: motilva@tecal.udl.es.
authors: María-José
authors: MJ
authors: Motilva
mesh_terms: D000872:Anthocyanins / Q000032:analysis; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry*; D003106:Colon / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D029791:Ericaceae / Q000254:growth & development*; D005285:Fermentation; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000872:Anthocyanins; D000975:Antioxidants; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Antioxidants; Arbutus unedo; In vitro fermentation; In vitro gastrointestinal digestion; Phenolic compounds