Influence of in vitro gastrointestinal digestion on phytochemicals in pomegranate juice

Abstract

Nowadays, healthy food is in vogue. The consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables has always been advised. Their health benefits are estimated based on the chemical composition without taking into account the possible transformations during digestion. Undoubtedly, those with the highest antioxidant content are highly favored. However, whether they are just as effective after passing through gastrointestinal tract is a question that science should answer experimentally. Therefore, the influence of in vitro gastrointestinal digestion on phytochemicals in pomegranate juice. The change in total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and antioxidant activity was monitored. A drastic loss of phenolic compounds was measured after the intestinal phase of the assay resulting in only 25% and 15.8% of the initial total phenolic content and total flavonoid content, respectively. The antioxidant activity was also affected. The results indicated an after digestion antioxidant activity in the range 19-29% by the measured activity of pomegranate juice. HPLC analysis of phenolic compounds confirmed the presence of gallic acid and DL-catechin at concentrations 96.3 µg/mL and 340 µg/mL, resp. After digestion a loss of 93% and 99% was calculated.

Impact of In Vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion on the Bioaccessibility of Phytochemical Compounds from Eight Fruit Juices

“…However, for the majority of digested juices less than 10% was detected. Our results are consistent with previous research studies on fruit juices subjected to digestion, where significant decreases in antioxidant capacity were demonstrated [ 10 , 13 , 39 , 47 ].…”

“…Fruits and fruit juices are widely studied with respect to their biologically active substances and antioxidant capacity [ 18 , 19 , 20 ], but not many studies have focused on the transformations that occur during digestion [ 10 , 13 , 21 ]. The potential bioavailability of biologically active phytocompounds is important information linked directly to their health claims [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ].…”

“…Gastric digestion and intestinal digestion are expected to have different effects on phytochemicals, and thus change their antioxidant activity [ 7 , 8 ]. Previous studies have revealed that in some cases the content of phenolic substances and their antioxidant activity increased [ 9 , 10 , 11 ], while in others a decrease is reported [ 12 , 13 ].…”

Structural and functional characterisation of compositionally optimised rice bran and lingonberry dietary fibre‐based gel‐type product enriched with phytochemicals

“…Similar to our results, phytochemical losses of up to 82.2% were reported by Desseva & Mihailova (2019). Correa‐Betanzo et al .…”

“…Similar to our results, phytochemical losses of up to 82.2% were reported by Desseva & Mihailova (2019). Correa-Betanzo et al (2014) reported that, in acidic pH, the scavenging capacity of the blueberry was not changed, but the intestinal step reduced up to 30% of the AA in the samples analysed.…”