Acid hydrolysis of jaboticaba (Myrciaria jaboticaba) peel and seeds powder increases urolithins excretion in a cross-over clinical trial with normoweight volunteers.

Abstract

Ellagitannins are phenolic compounds found in various plant sources, including jaboticaba (Myrciaria jaboticaba), and exhibit beneficial health effects primarily through urolithins, their gut-derived metabolites. However, ellagitannins bioavailability and metabolism is limited by structural complexity and strong binding to the food matrix, which may attenuate their biological activity. Therefore, this study evaluated the impact of acid hydrolysis of jaboticaba peel and seeds on ellagitannin metabolism in normoweight subjects. In a randomized cross-over clinical trial, 23 subjects consumed capsules containing either 3 g of non-hydrolyzed jaboticaba peel and seeds powder (JPSP) or 3 g of hydrolyzed jaboticaba peel and seeds powder (HJPSP), separated by a 14-day washout period. Urine samples were collected at different intervals up to 72 h post-intake. The HJPSP intervention provided a 3.2-fold higher dose of free ellagic acid compared to JPSP (57.1 mg and 17.8 mg, respectively). On average, glucuronidated urolithins accounted for 85% of the total excreted amount. Urolithin A 3/8-glucuronide was the main metabolite, comprising 54% (JPSP) and 57% (HJPSP) of total urolithins excretion over 72 h. Although urolithins were only detected in urine samples 8 h after the intake of HJPSP, the time to maximal urolithin excretion did not differ between interventions (29.2 h for JPSP and 28.3 h for HJPSP). Finally, acid hydrolysis increased total urolithin excretion by up to 69% over 0-48h after HJPSP intake compared to JPSP, with a 50% increase in total excretion over 72 h of urine collection. In conclusion, acid hydrolysis of jaboticaba peel and seeds enhances the production of urolithins in normoweight subjects, probably by increasing the availability of ellagic acid and low-polymerization ellagitannins for gut microbial conversion.