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Nutrient Physiology, Metabolism, and Nutrient-Nutrient Interactions

Protocatechuic Acid Is the Major Human Metabolite of Cyanidin-Glucosides^1–3,

⁴ Department of Food Science, University of Napoli "Federico II", 80055 Portici, Naples, Italy; ⁵ Department of Agro-forestry and Environmental Science, Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria, Gallina di Reggio Calabria 89100, Italy; and ⁶ Centro Diagnostico San Ciro, Portici, Naples 80055, Italy

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: paola.vitaglione{at}unina.it.

The metabolic fate of dietary anthocyanins (ACN) has not been fully clarified in humans. In all previous studies, the proportion of total ACN absorbed and excreted in urine was <1% intake. This study aimed to elucidate the human metabolism of cyanidin-glucosides (CyG) contained in blood orange juice (BOJ). One liter of BOJ, containing 71 mg CyG, was consumed by 6 healthy, fasting volunteers. Blood, urine, and fecal samples were collected at baseline and at different times up to 24 h after juice consumption. The content of native CyG, glucuronidated/methylated derivatives, and various phenolic acids was determined by HPLC/MS/MS. The serum maximal concentration of cyanidin-3-glucoside (Cy-3-glc) was 1.9 ± 0.6 nmol/L and that of protocatechuic acid (PCA) was 492 ± 62 nmol/L at 0.5 h and 2 h after juice consumption, respectively. The calculated total amounts in plasma corresponded for Cy-3-glc to 0.02% and for PCA to 44% of CyG ingested. CyG and glucuronidated/methylated metabolites, but not PCA, were detected in urine. ACN recovered in 24-h urine collections represented 1.2% of the ingested dose. Both CyG (1.90 ± 0.04 nmol/g) and PCA (277 ± 0.2 nmol/g) were recovered in 24-h fecal samples. Data explained the metabolic fate of 74% of BOJ ACN. PCA was for the first time, to our knowledge, identified in humans as a CyG metabolite, accounting for almost 73% of ingested CyG. A high concentration of PCA may explain the short-term increased plasma antioxidant activity observed after intake of cyanidin-rich food and it can also contribute to the numerous health benefits attributed to dietary ACN consumption.