The influence of human gut bacteria on bioavailability of flavonoids (Consortium: Flavonoids and polyphenols)

• Applicant: Dr. Annett Braune
• Subject Area: Nutritional Sciences
• Term: from 2003 to 2006
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5400624

The proposed project is aimed to elucidate the role of the gut microbiota in the conversion of selected dietary flavonoids and to investigate how and to which extent intestinal bacteria influence their. The data expected to emerge from the project are of relevance to safety issues as related to the oral intake of flavonoids. Since human subjects with a germ-free (GF) status are not available, GF rats and rats associated with human gut bacteria (HFA rats) will serve as models. Selected compounds representing flavones, anthocyanidins and prenylated flavonoids will be fed to these rats. Subsequently, blood, urine and feces will be collected from these animals and analyzed by HPLC, GC and LC-MS techniques for the applied substances and their degradation products. The comparison of GF and HFA rats will indicate whether and to which extent intestinal bacteria transform the ingested compounds. The products of the bacterial conversions will be identified and their absorption in the gastrointestinal tract of the animals be determined.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Participating Persons: Professor Dr. Michael Blaut; Dr. Silke Sczesny