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Session: Spotlight on Phytochemicals for Health (Poster Theater Flash Session 11)

(PTFS11-05-23) Effect of Cultivar and Processing on the Bioavailability of (Poly)phenols Using Blueberries as a Model Fruit

Tuesday, July 25, 2023

8:17 AM – 8:21 AM ET

Location: Fairfax

Presenting Author(s)

Monique C. Santana, PhD

Ph.D. in Nutrition Science
Plants for Human Health Institute, North Carolina State University, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, NC, USA
Kannapolis, North Carolina, United States

Disclosure(s): No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Co-Author(s)

AR

Atul S. Rathore

Plants for Human Health Institute, North Carolina State University, North Carolina Research Campus
PC

Preeti Chandra, PhD

Plants for Human Health Institute, North Carolina State University, North Carolina Research Campus
Kannapolis, North Carolina, United States
JE

Jessica L. Everhart

Plants for Human Health Institute, North Carolina State University, North Carolina Research Campus
HS

Harry M. Schulz

Plants for Human Health Institute, North Carolina State University, North Carolina Research Campus
Mario G. Ferruzzi, PhD

Professor and Section Chief
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Little Rock, Arkansas, United States
MI

Massimo Iorizzo, Phd

Plants for Human Health Institute, North Carolina State University, North Carolina Research Campus
Kannapolis, North Carolina, United States
ML

Mary A. Lila, PhD

Plants for Human Health Institute, North Carolina State University, North Carolina Research Campus
Kannapolis, North Carolina, United States
Colin D. Kay, PhD

Professor
University of Arkansas Medical Sciences
Little Rock, Arkansas, United States

Disclosure(s):

Monique C. Santana, PhD: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Mario G. Ferruzzi, PhD: Brightseed: Grant/Research Support (Ongoing)
Cargill: Grant/Research Support (Ongoing)
Chick-Fila: Advisory Committee/Board Member (Ongoing)
Chlorox-Nutranext: Advisory Committee/Board Member (Terminated, December 31, 2022)
Ekaterra: Consultant (Ongoing); Grant/Research Support (Ongoing)
National Institutes of Health (NIH): Grant/Research Support (Ongoing)
PepsiCo Incorporated: Grant/Research Support (Ongoing)
Sensient Technologies: Executive Role (e.g. Board of Directors) (Ongoing); Stock Shareholder (excluding mutual funds) (Ongoing)
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences: Employee (Ongoing)
US Tea Association: Speaker/Speaker's Bureau (Terminated, May 31, 2022)
USAID: Grant/Research Support (Ongoing)
USDA-ARS: Grant/Research Support (Ongoing)

Colin D. Kay, PhD: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Objectives: Evaluating effects of cultivar/genotype and food processing techniques on bioavailability of health-promoting (poly)phenols offers an opportunity to diversify choices for consumers seeking to improve their health. The present pilot study evaluated these factors using blueberries as a model (poly)phenol rich fruit consumed either raw from frozen or in a processed form.

Methods: In this double-blind, 4-way crossover, randomized clinical trial, 18 healthy adults consumed one serving of two blueberry varieties, Elliott and Olympia, previously identified to be of higher and lower (poly)phenol contents and bioaccessibility, respectively, a (poly)phenol-rich protein bar containing the equivalent to one serving of Elliott blueberries and a macronutrient-matched control beverage. Participants provided blood and urine samples over 48h, which were analyzed for 185 blueberry (poly)phenol metabolites via ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry, followed by linear mixed-effects repeated measures analysis of variance and post-hoc t-tests.

Results: Hydroxybenzoic acid, hydroxycinnamic acid, and 3-(hydroxyphenyl)propanoic acid metabolites were identified following consumption of blueberries and protein bar treatments, primarily displaying similar bioavailability as measured by total urinary recovery and area under the curve (in serum), but significantly higher bioavailability (p≤0.018) compared to the control. Differences following intake of blueberry-derived treatments were mostly reflected by 21% and 29% increased total urinary recovery of (poly)phenols following Elliott blueberries compared to Olympia and protein bar, respectively.

Conclusions: (Poly)phenol bioavailability after intake of blueberries and a blueberry-rich protein bar by healthy adults was minimally affected by the processing performed in this study while genotypic selection based on differential (poly)phenolic content and bioaccessibility was predictive of higher bioavailability. These findings will aid in development of selection and breeding strategies leading to production of nutrient-dense consumer relevant food products. Further research should assess whether these findings can be replicated in other crops.

Funding Sources: Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research