CRANBERRY QUERCETIN-3-GALACTOSIDE IN POSTPRANDIAL HUMAN PLASMA

Flavonoid glycoside bioavailability may be important for determining the health benefits of cranberry consumption. Human quercetin-3-galactoside bioavailability of raw cranberries (RC; 55g), sweetened dried cranberries(SDC; 40g) and sweetened dried cranberries containing less sugar (SDCLS; 40g) was measured using a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry system before consumption and for 240 minutes postprandially. Peak plasma concentrations (ng/ml) for RV, SDC and SDCLS were 15.5 ± 3.0, 14.0 ± 2.9, and 9.8 ± 2.9, with observed peak times of 60, 60 and 120 minutes respectively. This study suggests that quercetin-3-galactoside in the blood stream could be used as a phenolic marker of cranberry consumption.