Procyanidins and other polyphenolics can be converted into smaller phenolic acids (PAs) by the microorganisms in the colon. Phenolic acids can then be absorbed, and may contribute to some of the health benefits associated with the parent compounds. The urinary excretion of 18 phenolic acids and their conjugates were studied, using HPLC/MS/MS, in rats fed a control diet, high fructose (HF), or HF with 5% (dry weight basis) of cranberry (CB), blueberry (BB), or black raspberry (BRB). The greatest increase in the excretion of PAs with berry feeding was observed with hippuric acid, 4-hydroxycinnamic acid, 4-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid for CB; chlorogenic acid, 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid, and ferulic acid for BB; and 3-hydroxyphenyl propionic acid, 3-hydroxybenzoic acid and 3-hydroxycinnamic acid for BRB. A majority of the PAs were also detected in conjugated form with some exceeding 80% of the total excreted, suggesting that conjugated PAs, not just the free PAs, need to be taken into account while determining their excretory pattern.

Urinary excretion of phenolic acids in rats fed cranberry, blueberry, or black raspberry

240th National Meeting (2010)

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