Rigidity, conformation, and solvation of native and oxidized tannin macromolecules in water-ethanol solution

Role of Yeast Mannoproteins in the Interaction between Salivary Proteins and Flavan-3-ols in a Cell-Based Model of the Oral Epithelium

Astringency is a highly complex sensation which involves multiple mechanisms occurring simultaneously, such as the interaction between flavan-3-ols and salivary proteins (SP). Moreover, astringency development can be affected by the presence of polysaccharides such as mannoproteins (MP). The aim of this work was to evaluate the molecular mechanisms whereby MP could modulate the astringency elicited by tannins, using a cell-based model of the oral epithelium (TR146 cells), and the effect of salivary proteins on these interactions. The binding of flavan-3-ols to oral cells was evaluated by DMACA assay, while the content of unbound flavan-3-ols after the interactions was assessed by means of HPLC-DAD-MS. Results obtained confirm the existence of cell-tannin interactions, that can be partially inhibited by the presence of SP and/or MP. The most significant decrease was obtained in the system containing MPF (38.16%). Both mannoproteins assayed seem to have modulating effect on flavan-3-ol-SP interactions, acting by two different mechanisms: MPF would lead to the formation of SP/MPF/flavan-3-ols ternary soluble aggregates, while MPL seems to prevent flavan-3-ol-saliva interaction by a competitive mechanism, i.e., MPL would reduce cell-tannin interactions, similar to SP. This study suggests that mannoproteins with different compositional characteristics could exhibit preferential interaction with distinct flavan-3-ol families.

Co-pigmentation of strawberry anthocyanins with phenolic compounds from rooibos

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Strawberry anthocyanins may be co-pigmented with rooibos phenolics.

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Adding rooibos extract enhanced color and heat stability of strawberry anthocyanins.

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Green and fermented rooibos phenolics acted as potential co-pigments (CP).

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A flavonoid-rich fraction of green rooibos extract provided the most potent CPs.

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Flavonoids luteolin and orientin were effective CPs for pelargonidin 3-glucoside.

Anthocyanin-rich strawberry model solutions were co-pigmented with rooibos phenolics to enhance color and heat stability. The addition of green and fermented rooibos extracts at pigment-to-co-pigment molar ratios of 1:10, 1:50, and 1:100 pelargonidin-3-glucoside equivalents: orientin equivalents induced hyper- and bathochromic shifts at room temperature and during thermal processing at 80 °C for an hour. Co-pigmentation effects on hyperchromic shift were up to 96%, and bathochromic shift reached 19 nm when adding flavonoid-rich fractions of green rooibos phenolics. Following the co-pigmentation tests with rooibos extracts, selected pure phenolic co-pigments were tested for their monomeric contribution to the observed co-pigmentation effects. Orientin was identified as a potent co-pigment for pelargonidin-3-glucoside, showing stronger co-pigmentation effects than that of its aglycon luteolin. Additionally, orientin had the most pronounced bathochromic shift in heat-treated solutions. Rooibos extracts, particularly flavonoid-rich fractions composed of luteolin, apigenin, and quercetin glycosides, are suggested as color enhancers and stabilizers for strawberry products.

Interactions between Salivary Proteins and Dietary Polyphenols: Potential Consequences on Gastrointestinal Digestive Events

The present review documents the current knowledge and hypotheses on how polyphenols-saliva interactions may modulate the bioaccessibility or bioavailability of nutrients and highlights research prospects in the field. After an updated description of the different classes of dietary polyphenols and their modifications by food processing or digestion, an overview of interactions between salivary proteins and polyphenols (with an emphasis on tannins) is provided. In vitro studies show that the solubility of salivary protein-tannin complexes in gastric conditions depends on the degree of tannin polymerization, while complexes are partly solubilized by bile salts. Salivary proteins-polyphenols interactions may affect digestive processes. For example, polyphenols can bind to and inhibit salivary amylase, with downstream consequences on starch digestion. Some salivary proteins (PRPs) prevent tannin-induced reduced protein digestibility, probably through binding tannins before they interact with digestive proteases. Salivary proteins may also act as scavenger molecules to limit the intestinal uptake of tannins.

Precipitation of Tannin-Anthocyanin Derivatives in Wine is Influenced by Acetaldehyde Concentration and Tannin Molecular Mass with Implications for the Development of Nonbleachable Pigments

This study aimed to assess the effect of tannin molecular mass on nonbleachable pigment formation and subsequent stability under wine-like conditions. Tannin fractions of a defined molecular mass range were prepared from grape skins and seeds and reacted with malvidin-3-glucoside for 120 days in three media types: chemically defined wine media with or without acetaldehyde addition or model wine without acetaldehyde. Precipitation was observed after the reaction period and increased in response to both higher tannin molecular mass and acetaldehyde concentration. To confirm whether acetaldehyde-mediated condensation of tannin and anthocyanin modified the solubility of the nonbleachable pigments formed, HPLC-MS was used for the semiquantitative identification of vinyl derivatives and ethyl-linked adducts in soluble and precipitated materials. It was found that the proportion of vinyl derivatives and ethyl-linked anthocyanin was elevated in tannin precipitates relative to soluble pigmented material. Despite substantial losses of tannin due to precipitation, the resulting nonbleachable pigment concentration and color intensity were higher in wine media containing elevated acetaldehyde, when each tannin size category was considered independently. The results of this study indicated that the development of nonbleachable pigments from larger tannins may be limited when acetaldehyde-mediated condensation with anthocyanin predominates in wine, concomitant with precipitation.

Modification of Natural Proanthocyanidin Oligomers and Polymers Via Chemical Oxidation under Alkaline Conditions

We tested the susceptibility of 102 proanthocyanidin (PA)-rich plant extracts to oxidation under alkaline conditions and the possibility to produce chemically modified PAs via oxidation. Both the nonoxidized and the oxidized extracts were analyzed using group-specific ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-DAD-MS/MS) methods capable of detecting procyanidin (PC) and prodelphinidin (PD) moieties along the two-dimensional (2D) chromatographic fingerprints of plant PAs. The results indicated different reactivities for PCs and PDs. When detected by UHPLC-DAD only, most of the PC-rich samples exhibited only a subtle change in their PA content, but the UHPLC-MS/MS quantitation showed that the decrease in the PC content varied by 0-100%. The main reaction route was concluded to be intramolecular. The PD-rich and galloylated PAs showed a different pattern with high reductions in the original PA content by both ultraviolet (UV) and MS/MS quantitation, accompanied by the shifted retention times of the chromatographic PA humps. In these samples, both intra- and intermolecular reactions were indicated.

Effect of Grape Seed and Skin Tannin Molecular Mass and Composition on the Rate of Reaction with Anthocyanin and Subsequent Formation of Polymeric Pigments in the Presence of Acetaldehyde

Polymeric pigments formed via ethyl linkages between grape tannins and anthocyanins are important to the development of stable red wine color. To determine the effect of tannin structure on the stability and color properties of ethyl-linked polymeric pigments, tannin fractions with average polymerization between 4 and 43 units were prepared from grape skins and seeds and combined with malvidin-3-glucoside (M3G) in model wine containing acetaldehyde. As tannin molecular mass increased, the reaction rate with M3G increased. Compared with skin tannins of comparable molecular mass, seed tannins reacted more rapidly with M3G but were prone to precipitation. This resulted in a loss of polymeric pigments formed from seed tannins, which was greater as tannin molecular mass increased. Aggregation occurred following the reaction of seed tannin with M3G, concomitant with precipitation. The aggregation-precipitation phenomenon was not observed for skin tannin-derived pigments, indicating a greater stability in solution than those formed from seed tannins.

Applying Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis to Characterize the Polydispersity of Aggregates Resulting from Tannin-Polysaccharide Interactions in Wine-Like Media

Interactions between grape seed tannin and either a mannoprotein or an arabinogalactan in model wine solutions of different ethanol concentrations were characterized with nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), UV-visible spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering (DLS). NTA results reflected a shift in particle size distribution due to aggregation. Furthermore, the light scattering intensity of each tracked particle measured by NTA demonstrated the presence of aggregates, even when a shift in particle size was not apparent. Mannoprotein and arabinogalactan behaved differently when combined with seed tannin. Mannoprotein formed large, highly light-scattering aggregates, while arabinogalactan exhibited only weak interactions with seed tannin. A 3% difference in alcohol concentration of the model solution (12 vs. 15% v/v) was sufficient to affect the interactions between mannoprotein and tannin when the tannin concentration was high. In summary, this study showed that NTA is a promising tool for measuring polydisperse samples of grape and wine macromolecules, and their aggregates under wine-like conditions. The implications for wine colloidal properties are discussed based on these results.

Oxygen exposure during red wine fermentation modifies tannin reactivity with poly-l-proline

Red wines injected with nitrogen or oxygen during fermentation were used to identify the effect of gas exposure on tannin structure and reactivity with poly-l-proline. Tannin was purified from wine after fermentation and after three years of bottle storage. Tannin from nitrogen-treated wine had a lower percentage of galloylation and were less pigmented than tannin from oxygen-exposed wine. Self-aggregation of tannin was measured by nanoparticle tracking analysis and a larger particle size was observed for the oxidized treatment. The interaction of tannin and poly-l-proline was measured by isothermal titration calorimetry, and involved more hydrogen bonding than hydrophobic interactions in the case of nitrogen-treated wine tannin. Conversely, oxidized tannin was more hydrophobic and the association with poly-l-proline was entropy-driven due to a change of solvation. The results show meaningful changes in the structure and reactivity of tannin as a result of oxygen exposure during fermentation, which may impact astringency perception.

Isolation of Native Proanthocyanidins from Grapevine (Vitis vinifera) and Other Fruits in Aqueous Buffer

Condensed tannins (also called proanthocyanidins) present in strategic tissues of fruits (outer pericarp and vascular bundles) were known as short polymers of flavan-3-ols. A pretreatment of the plant material (fruits from the grapevine, persimmon) with buffered ascorbic acid and Triton X-100 followed by acetone extraction provided native white fully depolymerizable tannins. Tannins are usually extracted with aqueous solvents and further purified, although artifactual oxidations occur, altering their physicochemical characteristics. Compared to artifactually oxidized tannins prepared according to standard protocols, white tannins (also called leukotannins) exhibit a higher degree of polymerization and a far lower polydispersity.

DFT study of the physicochemical properties of A- and B-type procyanidin oligomers

The objective of this study was to determine the physicochemical properties of the oligomers of procyanidins (PCs) including PA1, PA2, PB1, PB2, PC1 and a B-type tetramer, taking into account of their conformations related to the interflavan links using the density functional theory (DFT). This information may provide useful insight into the potential effect of physicochemical properties on the absorption of PCs. The results indicate that A-type and B-type PCs in all of their conformations tend to be more stable in water than in octanol, showing a hydrophilic character due to their negative log [Formula: see text] values, which increase with the degree of polymerization (DP). The studied PCs, including the B-type tetramer, can achieve an appropriate molecular size (i.e. width and length) that can allow them to pass through the pores in the paracellular route in the human small intestine. The factor that could limit the absorption of the PC oligomers with increases in size is the higher number of hydroxyl groups exposed to the outside of the molecule due to their potential to interact with other molecules, which is based on electrostatic potential maps.

Sorption of grape proanthocyanidins and wine polyphenols by yeasts, inactivated yeasts, and yeast cell walls

Inactivated yeast fractions (IYFs) can be used in enology to improve the stability and mouthfeel of red wines. However, information concerning the mechanisms involved and the impact of the IYF characteristics is scarce. Adsorption isotherms were used to investigate interactions between grape proanthocyanidin fractions (PAs) or wine polyphenols (WP) and a commercial yeast strain (Y), the inactivated yeast (IY), the yeast submitted to autolyzis and inactivation (A-IY), and the cell walls obtained by mechanical disruption (CW). High affinity isotherms and high adsorption capacities were observed for grape PAs and whole cells (Y, IY, and A-IY). Affinity and adsorbed amount were lower with wine PAs, due to chemical changes occurring during winemaking. By contrast to whole cells, grape PAs and WP adsorption on CW remained very low. This raises the issue of the part played by cell walls in the interactions between yeast and proanthocyanidins and suggests the passage of the latter through the wall pores and their interaction with the plasma membrane.

Condensed tannin changes induced by autoxidation: effect of the initial degree of polymerization and concentration

Condensed tannins are a major class of polyphenols and play an important part in organoleptic properties of beverages. Because of their structure, they are chemically reactive. During food processing, reactions take place, leading to structural changes of the native structures to give modified tannins and pigments. Average degrees of polymerization (DPs) determined by standard depolymerization methods become irrelevant, because bonds created from oxidation are uncleavable. Small-angle X-ray scattering was used to determine the conformation of native and autoxidized tannins and assess the impact of tannins initial DP and concentration on changes induced by autoxidation. Different behaviors were observed: (i) slight increase of the DP when tannins were oxidized in dilute solutions; (ii) increase of the DP with tannins in concentrated solutions, leading to the formation of longer linear chains or branched macromolecules depending on the initial DP.

Measuring the molecular dimensions of wine tannins: comparison of small-angle X-ray scattering, gel-permeation chromatography and mean degree of polymerization

The molecular size of wine tannins can influence astringency, and yet it has been unclear as to whether the standard methods for determining average tannin molecular weight (MW), including gel-permeation chromatography (GPC) and depolymerization reactions, are actually related to the size of the tannin in wine-like conditions. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) was therefore used to determine the molecular sizes and corresponding MWs of wine tannin samples from 3 and 7 year old Cabernet Sauvignon wine in a variety of wine-like matrixes: 5-15% and 100% ethanol; 0-200 mM NaCl and pH 3.0-4.0, and compared to those measured using the standard methods. The SAXS results indicated that the tannin samples from the older wine were larger than those of the younger wine and that wine composition did not greatly impact on tannin molecular size. The average tannin MWs as determined by GPC correlated strongly with the SAXS results, suggesting that this method does give a good indication of tannin molecular size in wine-like conditions. The MW as determined from the depolymerization reactions did not correlate as strongly with the SAXS results. To our knowledge, SAXS measurements have not previously been attempted for wine tannins.

Polyphenol variability in the fruits and juices of a cider apple progeny

BACKGROUND

Polyphenols have a favourable antioxidant potential on human health, suggesting that their high content in apple is responsible for the beneficial effects of apple consumption. They are also linked to the quality of apple juices and ciders since they are predominantly responsible for astringency, bitterness and colour. Major phenolic compounds were quantified by liquid chromatography in fruits and juices from a cider apple progeny harvested for 3 years. The total content of procyanidins and their average degree of polymerisation (DPn) were also determined in fruits by phloroglucinolysis. Variability and extraction yield of these compounds were determined.

RESULTS

The variability observed in the progeny was representative of the variability observed in many cider apple varieties. Hydroxycinnamic acids were the most extractable group, with an average extraction yield of 67%, whereas flavonols and anthocyanins were the least.

CONCLUSION

This study is the first to introduce variability and extraction yields of the main phenolic compounds in both fruits and juices of a cider apple progeny. This dataset will be used for an upcoming QTL mapping study, an original approach that has never been undertaken for cider apple.

Sensory properties of wine tannin fractions: implications for in-mouth sensory properties

Different molecular structures of grape tannins have been shown to influence astringency, however, the in-mouth sensory effects of different molecular structures in red wine tannins remains to be established. The objective of this research was to assess the impact of wine tannin structure on in-mouth sensory properties. Wine tannin was isolated from Cabernet Sauvignon wines of two vintages (3 and 7 years old) and separated into two structurally distinct subfractions with liquid-liquid fractionation using butanol and water. The aqueous subfractions had greater mean degree of polymerization (mDp) and contained a higher proportion of epigallocatechin subunits than the butanol-soluble subfractions, while the older wine tannin fractions showed fewer epicatechin gallate subunits than the younger tannin fractions. The red wine had approximately 3:1 mass ratio of the aqueous and butanol tannin subfractions which approximated an equimolar ratio of tannin in each subfraction. Descriptive sensory analysis of the tannin subfractions in model wine at equimolar concentrations revealed that the larger, more water-soluble wine tannin subfractions from both wines were perceived as more astringent than the smaller, more hydrophobic and more highly pigmented butanol-soluble subfractions, which were perceived as hotter and more bitter. Partial least squares analysis indicated that the greater hydrophobicity and color incorporation in the butanol fractions was negatively associated with astringency, and these characteristics are also associated with aged wine tannins. As the larger, water-soluble tannins had a greater impact on the overall wine astringency, winemaking processes that modulate concentrations of these are likely to most significantly influence astringency.

Phenolic compositions of 50 and 30 year sequences of Australian red wines: the impact of wine age

The phenolic composition of red wine impacts upon the color and mouthfeel and thus quality of the wine. Both of these characteristics differ depending on the age of a wine, with the purple of young wines changing to brick red and the puckering or aggressive astringency softening in older wines. This study investigated the color parameters, tannin concentrations and tannin composition of a 50 year series of Cabernet Sauvignon wines from a commercial label as well as 30 year series of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz wines from a separate commercial label to assess the impact of wine age on phenolic composition and concentration. The wine color density in wines of 40 to 50 years old was around 5 AU compared with 16 AU of wine less than 12 months old, which correlated well with the concentration of non-bleachable pigments and pigmented polymers. Conversely, the anthocyanin concentrations in 10 year old wines were substantially lower than that of recently bottled wines (around 100 mg/L compared with 627 mg/L, respectively), adding further evidence that non-bleachable pigments including pigmented polymers play a much larger role in long-term wine color than anthocyanins. No age-related trend was observed for tannin concentration, indicating that the widely noted softer astringency of older red wines cannot necessarily be directly related to lower concentrations of soluble wine tannin and is potentially a consequence of changes in tannin structure. Wine tannins from older wines were generally larger than tannins from younger wines and showed structural changes consistent with oxidation.

Apple Procyanidins Suppress Amyloid β-Protein Aggregation

Procyanidins (PCs) are major components of the apple polyphenols (APs). We previously reported that treatment with PC extended the mean lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans (Sunagawa et al., 2011). In order to estimate the neuroprotective effects of PC, we investigated the antiaggregative activity of PC on amyloid β-protein (Aβ) aggregation, which is a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. We herein report that PC significantly suppressed Aβ42 aggregation and dissociated Aβ42 aggregates in a dose-dependent manner, indicating that PC is a potent suppressor of Aβ aggregation. Furthermore, PC significantly inhibited Aβ42 neurotoxicity and stimulated proliferation in PC-12 cells. These results suggested that the PC and AP acted as neuroprotective factors against toxic Aβ aggregates.

Wine and grape tannin interactions with salivary proteins and their impact on astringency: a review of current research

Astringency is an important characteristic of red wine quality. The sensation is generally thought to be produced by the interaction of wine tannins with salivary proteins and the subsequent aggregation and precipitation of protein-tannin complexes. The importance of wine astringency for marketability has led to a wealth of research on the causes of astringency and how tannins impact the quality of the sensation, particularly with respect to tannin structure. Ultimately, the understanding of how tannin structure impacts astringency will allow the controlled manipulation of tannins via such methods as micro-oxygenation or fining to improve the quality of wines.

Interaction between grape-derived proanthocyanidins and cell wall material. 1. Effect on proanthocyanidin composition and molecular mass

Insoluble cell wall material was prepared from the skin and flesh of commercially ripe Vitis vinifera L. cv. Shiraz berries and then combined in suspension with preveraison skin and seed proanthocyanidin containing solutions. Analysis of proanthocyanidins before and after fining with cell wall material by phloroglucinolysis provided information on recovery by mass, subunit composition, and mean degree of polymerization, whereas proanthocyanidin molecular mass distribution was determined by gel permeation chromatography. Cell wall material from flesh showed the highest affinity for proanthocyanidin, binding up to 47% and 57% w/w of total seed and skin proanthocyanidin respectively. Comparison of the molecular mass distribution of skin or seed proanthocyanidin before and after fining indicated that affinity of cell walls for proanthocyanidin increased with increasing proanthocyanidin molecular mass. Initial results of subunit composition of skin and seed proanthocyanidin mixtures following fining with cell wall material showed that the % galloylation decreased, suggesting a preference for seed-derived proanthocyanidins. Subsequent experiments suggest that fining with insoluble cell wall material is size-based and does not have a specific affinity for seed-derived proanthocyanidins.