Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 22, 2026

Semi-Targeted Ultra-High-Performance Chromatography Coupled to Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Phenolic Metabolites in Plasma of Elderly Adults
Published on: April 22, 2022
Absorption and metabolism of yerba mate phenolic compounds in humans
Miren Gómez-Juaristi1, Sara Martínez-López1, Beatriz Sarria1
1Department of Metabolism and Nutrition, Institute of Food Science, Technology and Nutrition (ICTAN-CSIC), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), José Antonio Nováis 10, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
Abstract:
Bioavailability of yerba mate phenolic compounds was assessed in healthy humans. More than 34 metabolites were identified in biological fluids, mainly sulfated conjugates of caffeic and ferulic/isoferulic acids, in addition to non-metabolized caffeoyl-, feruloyl- and p-coumaroilquinic acids, with rapid appearance and clearance in plasma indicative of small intestinal absorption. These compounds amounted to 13.1% of the urinary metabolites. Delayed absorption of dihydrocaffeic, dihydroferulic and dihydrocoumaric acids and their phase II metabolites, in addition to feruloylglycine, pointed to their microbial origin and colonic absorption, accounting for 81.0% of excreted metabolites. Phase II flavonol metabolites (0.2%) derived mainly from rutin after colonic transformation and absorption were also detected. Additionally, dihydroferuloyl-, dihydrocaffeoyl- and dihydrocoumaroylquinic acids (5.7%) were identified, showing the most delayed kinetics. Total phenolic excretion (147.6μmol) corresponded to 13.2% of ingested phenols. In conclusion, yerba mate polyphenols are partially bioavailable and extensively metabolized, mainly by the colonic microbiota.
More Related Videos
10:44Mass Spectrometry and Luminogenic-based Approaches to Characterize Phase I Metabolic Competency of In Vitro Cell Cultures
Published on: March 28, 2017
10:35Study on the Metabolism of Six Systemic Insecticides in a Newly Established Cell Suspension Culture Derived from Tea Camellia Sinensis L. Leaves
Published on: June 15, 2019
Related Concept Videos
Phase I Reactions: Oxidation of Aliphatic and Aromatic Carbon-Containing Systems
Oxidation reactions are fundamental in aromatic carbon-containing systems. An example is the hydroxylation of phenobarbital, a process that transforms it into...
Pharmacogenetic Phenotypes: Alterations in Pharmacokinetics, Drug Targets and Biologic Milieu
Pharmacogenetics of Phase II Enzymes: N-acetyltransferase, Thiopurine S-methyltransferase, UDP-glucuronosyltransferase
Factors Influencing Drug Absorption: Presystemic Elimination
Pharmacokinetics: Drug–Food and Drug–Viral Interactions
Drug Metabolism: Phase II Reactions