Degradation of polyphenols

In recent years, numerous papers have been published about one of the most important groups of phytochemicals, the polyphenols (Manach and others 2004). These compounds, which possess an array of healthy properties, but also some disadvantages that will be discussed in this chapter, are present in a variety of plants used in both human and animal diets. However, the structure of this type of compound means that they can be oxidized by several pro-oxidant agents. The objective of this chapter is to describe the main enzymatic agents responsible for the degradation of polyphenols. In order to understand the mechanisms of degradation that will be described in the following sections, a brief summary of the main properties of the polyphenols is required. 

Many papers have been published about the enzymatic degradation of polyphenols through the action of oxidizing enzymes. Thus, various classifications have been provided for these types of biocatalytic molecules, according to their coenzyme requirements or according to the nature of the oxidizing substrate (the electron acceptor) and the reaction products (Fig. 4.1). 

As previously indicated, four enzymes related to the enzymatic degradation of polyphenols, polyphenoloxidase, peroxidase, laccase, and lipoxygenase, are extensively reviewed in this chapter. The first enzyme described is polyphenoloxidase. 

Bravo L, Abia R, Eastwood MA, Saura-Calixto F. Degradation of polyphenols (catechin and tannic acid) in the rat intestinal tract. Effect on colonic fermentation and faecal output. Br J Nutr 1994 71 933-946. 

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