Passiflora fruit: interindividual variables on bioavailability of phenolic compounds and effects on metabolic response

• Grant number: 22/05463-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: June 01, 2022
• End date: June 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Food Science and Technology - Food Science
• Principal Investigator: Franco Maria Lajolo
• Grantee: Isabella de Araújo Esteves Duarte
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/07914-8 - FoRC - Food Research Center, AP.CEPID
• Associated scholarship(s): 22/16139-7 - Passiflora: interindividual variation in bioavailability of phenolic compounds and effect on metabolic response, BE.EP.PD

Abstract

The insertion of native species of fruits into the market may enhance the socioeconomic development of the region, besides the valorization of the Brazilian biodiversity. The passion fruit is rich in bioactive compounds that have been associated with a reduced incidence of the Obesity-associated comorbidities. Our research group demonstrated that Passiflora tenuifila, a native passion fruit from the Brazilian Cerrado, are rich in phenolic compounds, mainly proanthocyanidins, and improve some cardiometabolic biomarkers. However, a great interindividual variation on the biological response was observed. Thus, considering that the biological activity attributed to the plant-based phenolics depends on their absorption and metabolism; and that large interindividual variability on the bioavailability of phenolics has been observed, we propose to evaluate the bioavailability of the phenolics of P. tenuifila and mechanisms of action not yet explored to understand how these compounds can modulate metabolism, identifying groups responsive to the intervention. For this purpose, in vitro colonic fermentation of phenolic compounds and clinical study will be carried out and different metabolomics and transcriptomic platforms will be employed. Methods: Volunteers will intake P. tenuifila powder during 15 days. Blood and urine samples will be collected at times 0 (1st day) and after 15 days. Biochemical parameters, inflammatory biomarkes and overall profile of leukocyte gene expression will be evaluated. Also, urine 24h will be collected after the first dose and excretion of phenolic metabolites evaluated. All lab facilities are available. (AU)