Flavan-3-ols procyanidins

Proanthocyanidins (PAs), also known as condensed tannins, are oligomeric and polymeric flavan-3-ols. Procyanidins are the main PAs in foods however, prodelphinidins and propelargonidins have also been identified (Gu and others 2004). The main food sources of total PAs are cinnamon, 8084 mg/100 g FW, and sorghum, 3937 mg/100 g FW. Other important sources of PAs are beans, red wine, nuts, and chocolate, their content ranging between 180 and 300 mg/100 g FW. In fruits, berries and plums are the major sources, with 213.6 and 199.9 mg/100 g FW, respectively. Apples and grapes are intermediate sources of PAs (60 to 90 mg/100 g FW), and the content of PAs in other fruits is less than 40 mg/100 g FW. In the majority of vegetables PAs are not detected, but they can be found in small concentrations in Indian squash (14.8 mg/ 100 g FW) (Gu and others, 2004 US Department of Agriculture, 2004). 

Distribution of Hydrolyzable Tannins Proanthocyanidins or Condensed Tannins Flavan-3,4-diols Flavan-3-ols Procyanidin Dimers... 

Castillo, J., O. Benavente-Garcia, J. Lorente et al. 2000. Antioxidant activity and radioprotective effects against chromosomal damage induced in vivo by X-rays of flavan-3-ols (procyanidins) from grape seeds Vitis vinifera) Comparative study versus other phenolic and organic compounds. J. Agric. Food Chem. 48 1738-1745. 

The effects of catechin, epicatechin, procyanidin B2, caffeic acid, / -coumaric acid, myricetrin, and quercetrin on the color intensity and stability of malvidin 3-glucoside at a molar ratio of 1 1 under conditions similar to red wine were evaluated. " Flavan 3-ols appeared to have the lowest protective effects and flavonols the highest strong color changes were visually perceptible. " In the complexation of malvin chloride and natural polyphenols, flavonol glycosides by far exerted the best protector effect. ... 

The B-type procyanidins include a mixture of oligomers and polymers composed of flavan-3-ol units linked mainly through C4 C8 and/or C4 C6 bonds, and represent the dominant class of natural proanthocyanidins. Among the dimers, procyanidins Bl, B2, B3 and B4 (Fig. 2a) are the most frequently occurring in plant tissues. Procyanidin B5 (EC-(4j6 6)-EC), B6 (catechin-(4o 6)-catechin), B7 (EC-(4/3 6)-catechin) and B8 (catechin-(4q 6)-EC) are also widespread (Eig. 2b) [17-19]. 

Flavanols and procyanidins Flavanols, or flavan-3-ols, are synthesized via two routes, with (+) catechins formed from flavan-3,4-diols via leucoanthocyanidin reductase (LAR), and (—) epicatechins from anthocyanidins via anthocyanidin reductase (ANR) (see Fig. 5.4). These flavan-3-ol molecules are then polymerized to condensed tannins (proanthocyanidins or procyanidins), widely varying in the number and nature of their component monomers and linkages (Aron and Kennedy 2008 Deluc and others 2008). It is still not known whether these polymerization reactions happen spontaneously, are enzyme catalyzed, or result from a mixture of both. 

Fig. 2.113. Structures of monomeric flavan-3-ols and procyanidin oligomers in apples. Reprinted with permission from A. Yanagida et al. [253].

Flavan-3-ols (catechins, proanthocyanidins, and condensed tannins) can often be extracted directly with water. However, the composition of the extract does vary with the solvent — whether water, methanol, ethanol, acetone, or ethyl acetate. For example, it is claimed that methanol is the best solvent for catechins and 70% acetone for procyanidins. ... 

We also need to point out the often improper use of proanthocyanidin nomenclature. In Ref. 104, both vitisinol (125) and amurensisin (126) were classified as procyanidins per definition they do not belong to this class of compounds (Figure 11.11). Vitisinol (125) is rather a member of the nonproanthocyanidin class with flavan or flavan-3-ol constituent units (see Section 11.3.3), while amurensisin (126) is simply a gallic acid derivative of epicatechin (see Section 11.3.1.2). 

The two principal classes of proanthocyanidins found (10) in plant tissues are the procyanidins (1, R e H) and the prodeTphin-idins (1, R s OH). Proanthocyanidins of mixed anthocyanidin character (1, R = H or OH) have been noted. In any tissue where proanthocyan din synthesis occurs there is invariably found a range of molecular species - from the monomeric flavan-3-ols (catechins, gallocatechins) to the polymeric forms (1) and biosynthetic work (11) suggests a very close relationship between the metabolism of the parent f1avan-3-o1 and the synthesis of proanthocyanidins, Figure 4. 

Earlier proposals (12, 13, U) and the results of biosynthetic experiments (18) have been adumbrated into a scheme of biosynthesis for the procyanidins (Figure k) in which it is suggested that they are formed as byproducts during the final stage of the synthesis of the parent flavan-3-ol structures, (+)-catechin and (-)-epicatechin (11, 18). A two step reduction of the f1av-3-en-3-ol... 

The phenolic composition of apple consists of cinnamic acids, flavonols, dihydrochalcones, and flavan-3-ols (50,56). In the apple fruit processing industry, hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives and flavan-3-ols are important due to their contribution to the astringency, haze, and browning in apple juice and cider. Chlorogenic acid represents the major hydroxycinnamic acid derivative. The flavan-3-ols (catechins) are present in the monomeric form as well as in oligomeric and polymeric forms (procyanidins) in apple and apple products (56). 

Table 4 Gradient HPLC Analysis for Phenolic Acids, frans/cis-Hydroxy cinnamic Acids, Flavan-3-Ols, Flavonols, and Procyanidins...

Condensed tannins are also referred to as proanthocyanidins. They are oligomeric or polymeric flavonoids consisting of flavan-3-ol (catechin) units. Hydrolysis under harsh conditions, such as heating in acid, yields anthocyanidins. An example of a condensed tannin is procyanidin B2 (epicatechin-(4 3—>8 )-epicatechin 1.90). In this case the interflavanyl linkage is between C4 of the lower unit, and C8 of the upper unit. The linkage can also be between C4 of one unit and C6 of the second unit. 

Catechin and the proanthocyanidin prodelphinidin B3 are, respectively, the major monomeric and dimeric flavan-3-ols found in barley and malt where prodelphinidin B3 is the main contributor for the radical scavenging activity [Dvorakova et al., 2007], Proanthocyanidins have also been detected in nuts. Hazelnuts (Corylus avellana) and pecans (Carya illinoensis) are particularly rich in proanthocyanidins containing ca. 5 g kg, whereas almonds (Prunus dulcis) and pistachios (Pistachio vera) contain 1.8-2.4 mg kg 1, walnuts (Juglans spp.) ca. 0.67 g kg, roasted peanuts (Arachis hypgaea) 0.16 g kg, and cashews (Anarcardium occidentale) 0.09 g kg 1 [Crozier et al., 2006c]. Dark chocolate derived from the roasted seeds of cocoa (Theobroma cacao) is also a rich source of procyanidins [Gu et al., 2004], Monomeric flavan-3-ols and the proanthocyanidin B2, B5 dimers, and Q trimer are found in fresh cocoa beans (Fig. 1.13). Flavan-3-ols have also been detected in mint... 

Figure 2.1 Structure of flavan-3-ol monomers and dimers. (A)(—)-Epicatechin with = OH and R2 = H or ( + )-catechin with Ri = H and R2 = OH , (B) procyanidin (4p - 8)-dimer (C) procyanidin (4p -> 6)-dimer.

Spencer JP, Schroeter H, Rechner AR, Rice-Evans C. 2001a. Bioavailability of flavan-3-ols and procyanidins gastrointestinal tract influences and their relevance to bioactive forms in vivo. Antioxid Redox Signal 3 1023-1039. 

Zhu QY, Holt RR, Lazarus SA, Ensunsa JL, Hammerstone JF, Schmitz HH, Keen CL. 2002. Stability of the flavan-3-ols epicatechin and catechin and related dimeric procyanidins derived from cocoa. J Agric Food Chem 50 1700-1705. 

Verstraeten SV, Keen CL, Schmitz HH, Fraga CG, Oteiza PI. 2003. Flavan-3-ols and procyanidins protect liposomes against lipid oxidation and disruption of the bilayer structure. Free Radic Biol Med 34 84-92. 

Polymeric tannins are complex molecules comprising flavan-3-ols or catechins, and called "procyanidins" 48, 49a-d ... 

Actis-Goretta L, Ottaviani Ji, Keen CL, Fraga GC. Inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity by flavan-3-ols and procyanidins. FEBS Lett 2003 555 597-600. 

Procyanidin polymer (flavan-3-ol polymer) Pistacia lentiscus (Anacardiaceae) ACE (at -10 pM) [80]... 

Nonhydrolyzable or condensed tannins are also named proanthocyanidins. These are polymers of flavan-3-ols, with the flavan bonds most commonly between C4 and C8 or C6 (Figure 6-23) (Macheix et al. 1990). Many plants contain tannins that are polymers of (+)-catechin or (-)-epicatechin. These are hydrogenated forms of flavonoids or anthocyanidins. Other monomers occupying places in condensed fruit tannins have trihydroxylation in the B-ring (+)-gallocat-echin and (-)-epigallocatechin. Oligomeric and polymeric procyanidins are formed by addition of more flavan-3-ol units and result in the formation of helical structures. These structures can form bonds with proteins. 

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