Effects of Proanthocyanidin Intake from "Maracujá -alho" (Passiflora tenuifila Killip): A Metabolomic Approach

• Grant number: 25/21815-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: March 23, 2026
• End date: March 22, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Food Science and Technology - Food Science
• Principal Investigator: Neuza Mariko Aymoto Hassimotto
• Grantee: Layanne Nascimento Fraga
• Supervisor: Victor Costa Castro Alves
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Örebro University, Sweden
• Associated to the scholarship: 24/03926-6 - Bioavailability of proanthocyanidins from 'garlic passion fruit' (Passiflora tenuifila Killip): Integrated analysis of the inter-relationship between intestinal microbiota and phenolic compounds, BP.PD

Abstract

The fruit of 'maracujá-alho' (Passiflora tenuifila Killip), a wild species from the BrazilianCerrado, is rich in bioactive compounds associated with a reduced risk of cardiometabolicdiseases. Our research group has demonstrated that these fruits are abundant in phenoliccompounds, mainly proanthocyanidins. The biological effects of proanthocyanidin intake arelinked to colonic metabolites, including phenyl-¿-valerolactone and valeric acid derivatives.The type and quantity of these catabolites may vary according to the chemical structure ofthe proanthocyanidins and, notably, the composition of the gut microbiota. This study aimsto use a comprehensive metabolomics approach to investigate the impact of P. tenuifilaconsumption on the human metabolome and to assess the functional effects ofproanthocyanidin catabolites on intestinal barrier integrity using in vitro co-culture model. Arandomized crossover clinical trial was conducted between March and June 2023 with twentyvolunteers, who consumed either lyophilized whole P. tenuifila fruit or a placebo for 15consecutive days. Plasma and fecal samples were collected and will be analyzed, beforeand after intervention. It is expected that this study will contribute to a comprehensiveunderstanding of the effects of P. tenuifila consumption on human metabolism by integratingtargeted and untargeted metabolomics data from fecal and plasma samples. The results areexpected to expand knowledge on Brazilian biodiversity, highlighting P. tenuifila as a sourceof bioactive compounds, while provide translational insights for the development of nutritionalstrategies aimed at improving metabolic health.