Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon), and other related berries, have been shown to shift the composition of the gut microbiome towards a more favorable population correlated to better overall health. The potential health benefits of cranberries can be attributed to a variety of secondary metabolites, including proanthocyanidins (PACs), flavonoids, triterpenoids, and organic acids. Previous studies have demonstrated that such polyphenolic compounds are able to inhibit adhesion and infection by pathogenic gut bacteria of several genera, while leaving probiotic species such as those of Lactobacillus unaltered, or even promoting their growth. The specific mechanisms behind this phenomenon are largely unknown. Commercial cranberry supplements can provide a low-sugar alternative to juices and sweetened fruit products, however the phytochemical content varies widely. Selected commercial cranberry supplements and a standard whole cranberry powder were analyzed for secondary metabolite profile, using 1H qNMR with Bruker AssureNMR software, HPLC-DAD and the DMAC assay for the determination of PAC content. Principal component analysis of 1H NMR spectra showed overlap between several supplements and whole cranberry powder, whereas others varied widely from the standard. Many supplements were missing bioactive compounds such as PACs, anthocyanins, triterpenoids or organic acids, and none of the supplements analyzed contained all of the compounds of interest. Several probiotic and opportunistic pathogenic bacterial species commonly found in the human gut microbiome were chosen for evaluation to monitor effects of extracts from these cranberry products with varied composition on bacterial survival and growth, using the disk diffusion susceptibility test followed by growth rate analyses. Study results may provide important insight regarding the correlation between phytonutrient composition in cranberry products and the growth of bacteria found in the gut microbiome.

Cranberry product composition and its effect on the growth of gut bacteria

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

[Author Benefits](https://scimeetings.acs.org/?utm_source=pubs_content_marketing&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=0320_MCF_NPI_Launch_Spring_Homepage&ref=pubs_content_marketing)

[How to use SciMeetings](https://storage.googleapis.com/dl.morressier.com/acs/SciMeetings-ACSSpring2020-HowToGuide_M3020-Final.pdf)

[Frequently Asked Questions](https://storage.googleapis.com/dl.morressier.com/acs/SciMtng_ACSNMSp2020_FAQ_M3120_Final.pdf)

ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.