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Mass Spectrometry-Based Analysis of Urinary Biomarkers for Dietary Tomato Intake
Yannick Hövelmann1, Lea Lewin1, Katharina Steinert1
1Institute of Food Chemistry, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, 48149, Germany.
Scope:
In this study, the applicability of several β-carboline, imidazole, and steroidal alkaloids as biomarkers for tomato juice intake is evaluated.
Methods And Results:
Over the course of a 2-week crossover dietary intervention study, 14 volunteers were given low and high doses of tomato juice after 3 days of avoiding tomato-based products. On the day of consumption and the following days, volunteers provided urine samples that were quantitatively analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Herein, glucose-derived β-carboline alkaloids are determined as supporting, yet non-specific dietary biomarkers for tomato juice intake. Several imidazole alkaloids represent further biomarkers, which are shown to specifically indicate consumption of tomato juice for 24 h and partly >24 h. Additionally, steroidal alkaloids derived from esculeogenin B are determined to be specific biomarkers for tomato juice detectable for at least 48 h after consumption. The intake of low and high amounts of tomato juice is significantly distinguishable based on the urinary excretion of all determined biomarkers as well.
Conclusions:
The dietary intake of tomato juice is conclusively traceable based on urinary excretion of multiple β-carboline, imidazole, and steroidal alkaloids, and can be determined for up to 48 h after consumption. Furthermore, different intake doses can clearly be distinguished based on their urinary excretion.
