Bioaccessibility and Bioactivity of Cereal Polyphenols: A Review

Abstract

Cereal bioactive compounds, especially polyphenols, are known to possess a wide range of disease preventive properties that are attributed to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. However, due to their low plasma concentrations after oral intake, there is controversy regarding their therapeutic benefits in vivo. Within the gastrointestinal tract, some cereal polyphenols are absorbed in the small intestine, with the majority accumulating and metabolised by the colonic microbiota. Chemical and enzymatic processes occurring during gastrointestinal digestion modulate the bioactivity and bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds. The interactions between the cereal polyphenols and the intestinal epithelium allow the modulation of intestinal barrier function through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory activity and mucin production thereby improving intestinal health. The intestinal microbiota is believed to have a reciprocal interaction with polyphenols, wherein the microbiome produces bioactive and bioaccessible phenolic metabolites and the phenolic compound, in turn, modifies the microbiome composition favourably. Thus, the microbiome presents a key link between polyphenol consumption and the health benefits observed in metabolic conditions in numerous studies. This review will explore the therapeutic value of cereal polyphenols in conjunction with their bioaccessibility, impact on intestinal barrier function and interaction with the microbiome coupled with plasma anti-inflammatory effects.

Assessment of Feed Value of Chicory and Lucerne for Poultry, Determination of Bioaccessibility of Their Polyphenols and Their Effects on Caecal Microbiota

“…The evaluation of the bioaccessibility of polyphenols has gained increasing attention in recent years because of their paramount importance in exerting their potent health benefits. Bioaccessibility reflects the amount of a compound released after gastrointestinal digestion [31]. It provides a measure of the amount of a particular compound that can enter the circulation system to exert its bioactive functions [31].…”

“…Bioaccessibility reflects the amount of a compound released after gastrointestinal digestion [31]. It provides a measure of the amount of a particular compound that can enter the circulation system to exert its bioactive functions [31]. The role of the gastrointestinal tract is very important in modulating bioaccessibility and subsequent absorption.…”

“…The role of the gastrointestinal tract is very important in modulating bioaccessibility and subsequent absorption. However, variations in chemical and enzymatic conditions in the gastrointestinal tract affect the bioaccessibility of polyphenols [31]. Differences in diversity and concentration of these phenolic compounds and their distribution in plant matrices also influence their release from plant matrices and affect their bioaccessibility [32].…”

The Impact of Cereal Grain Composition on the Health and Disease Outcomes

“…They have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, but their bio accessibility depends on the type of polyphenol or cereal matrix involved. In the gastrointestinal ambient, polyphenols can potentially change the gut microbiome favorably ( 7 ). Anthocyanins are pigments of colored cereals: wheat, rye, millet, barley, rice, maize, and sorghum ( 6 ).…”

Polyphenols–Gut–Heart: An Impactful Relationship to Improve Cardiovascular Diseases

“…Polyphenols are heterogeneous plant-derived molecules, highly present in vegetables, wine, cereals, tea, and coffee, and diffuse in human nutrition [ 29 ]. Preclinical studies indicate the potential role of polyphenols as prebiotics able to modulate intestinal permeability and GM composition, but their effect in clinical studies is still debated [ 30 , 31 , 32 ]. Polyphenols may be effective to prevent CVDs and ensuring cardiometabolic health [ 33 , 34 , 35 ].…”