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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Pierce, Florida » U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory » Citrus and Other Subtropical Products Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #304426
Title: The pharmacokinetics and health benefits of orange peel compounds

Author
item Manthey, John
item Baldwin, Elizabeth - Liz
item Bai, Jinhe
item CESAR, THAIS - Sao Paulo State University (UNESP)

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/1/2014
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Orange peel is a rich source of phenolic antioxidants, including several classes of compounds called flavonoids. In a variety of tests these compounds have shown potential beneficial effects on human health. This reports the rates of metabolism and the length of time that these compounds remain in animals, and correlations are made between these findings and the occurrence of beneficial effects.

Technical Abstract: Orange peel is a resource rich in phenolic antioxidants, including several classes of flavonoids and hydroxycinnamates. These compounds have been extensively studied for their biological actions particularly against chronic diseases in humans. Yet, full development of these materials as new, commercial products has yet to be achieved, as important gaps still exist in our understanding of the pharmacokinetics and modes of actions of these compounds. Investigations into the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of these compounds show important differences among different classes of these compounds. The pharmacokinetic Area Under the Curve (AUC) values are much higher for the orange peel polymethoxylated flavones than for the flavanone glycosides. The latter compounds also show complete conversion to glucuro/sulfate conjugates, while significant portions of the original polymethoxylated flavones as well as their conjugates occur in blood plasma. These differences in circulating chemical species may play key roles in determining the modes of actions of these compounds. Better understandings of the modes of actions of these peel compounds will help in targeting new health-based applications.