Method Validation for Phenylalanine Analysis in Unconventional Food Plants

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Nutrition
• Food Science

Background:

• Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an inborn error of metabolism requiring strict dietary phenylalanine restriction.
• Current PKU diets are often monotonous, relying on limited foods and phenylalanine-free formulas.
• Brazil's rich biodiversity offers potential for novel food sources like Non-Conventional Food Plants (NCPPs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate a method for quantifying phenylalanine in NCPPs.
• To determine phenylalanine content in 15 NCPPs from the Brazilian Cerrado.
• To assess the suitability of these NCPPs for phenylketonuric patients' diets.

Main Methods:

• High-performance liquid chromatography with an ultraviolet detector was used for phenylalanine quantification.
• Method validation included selectivity, linearity, recovery, repeatability, and precision assessments.
• Phenylalanine content was analyzed in 15 distinct NCPP samples.

Main Results:

• The validated HPLC method proved selective, linear, and precise for phenylalanine determination.
• Phenylalanine content in NCPPs ranged from 20.28 to 235.58 mg/100 g.
• Leafy vegetables generally contained higher phenylalanine levels than specific fruits and flowers analyzed.

Conclusions:

• Certain Brazilian NCPPs, particularly leafy vegetables, can be safely incorporated into PKU diets.
• Introducing these NCPPs can enhance dietary variety and improve the palatability of PKU management.
• This study highlights the potential of indigenous foods to address dietary challenges in metabolic disorders.