(EA02-05-25) Characterization of Phytochemical Metabolite Profiles in Human Blood Samples After 4-Weeks of Herbs and Spices Consumption

Scientific conference where the work was recently presented: 11th International Conference on Polyphenols and Health (Boston, USA)

Date on which the work was previously presented at the scientific conference listed: October 16-19, 2024

Objectives: Herbs and Spices (H/S) are rich in various bioactive compounds with a limited understanding of their absorption and metabolism in humans. This study aimed to characterize H/S metabolites in human blood samples after four-week consumption.

Methods: Blood samples from adults participating in a randomized, 3-period crossover, controlled-feeding clinical trial were used for this research (clinicaltrials.gov NCT03064932). Participants (n = 63) consumed diets that incorporated 0.55, 3.3 or 6.6 g H/S daily for 4-week with a 2-week washout between diets. EDTA plasma, heparin plasma, and serum samples from blood collected after 4-week consumption of 6.6 g H/S daily were pooled separately and analyzed on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole. Metabolite compounds were tentatively identified based on available authentic references and published multiple reaction monitoring transitions.

Results: A total of 88 metabolites was tentatively identified in blood samples, including 71 phenolic acids from benzoic acid, benzaldehyde, benzene, cinnamic acid, hippuric acid, phenyl propionic acid, phenyl acetic acid groups,11 terpenoids including carnosic acid, rosmanol, carnosol and their conjugated forms, 3 conjugated glucuronide flavonoids, and 3 other compounds including isomers of capsaicin glucuronide, hydroxycoumarin, and piperine. Isomers of hydroxycinnamic acid and methoxy hydroxy phenylacetic acids were detected only in serum samples, but not in EDTA and heparin plasma samples.

Conclusions: Bioactive compounds from H/S are absorbed, metabolized, and remain in circulation with daily intake. This preliminary analysis suggests variations observed in amount and type among different blood sample processing methods. The relationship of these circulating metabolites to health benefits requires follow up research.

Funding Sources: This project was supported by a gift from McCormick Science Institute and various donor funds.