Bioavailability of chlorogenic acids from green coffee extract in humans

Abstract

Chlorogenic acids (CGA) are phenolic compounds with biological properties mostly related to their antioxidant activity. Caffeoylquinic (CQA) and dicaffeoylquinic (diCQA) acids are the main CGA in nature. Because green coffee is a major source of CGA, it has been used for the production of nutraceuticals. Despite this, data on the bioavailability of CGA from green coffee in humans is inexistent. This preliminary study evaluated the pharmacokinetic profile and bioavailability of CGA isomers and metabolites in plasma and urine of 4 healthy adults for 8 h after the consumption of a green decaffeinated Robusta coffee extract (svetol®) containing 450 μmol of CGA. HPLC‐DAD‐MS results showed that in addition to three CQA, three diCQA and caffeic acid, previously identified after roasted coffee consumption, the metabolites ferulic, isoferulic and p‐coumaric acids were also identified in plasma. On average, 24% of ingested CGA were recovered in plasma, including metabolites, with peak levels observed 2.1 ± 2 h after treatment. CGA/metabolites identified in urine after green coffee consumption were 5‐CQA, gallic, vanillic, sinapinic, dihydrocaffeic, p‐hydroxybenzoic, isoferulic, ferulic, caffeic, and p‐coumaric acids, totaling 30% (average) of urinary recovery. This study shows that the major CGA compounds present in green coffee are highly absorbed and metabolized in humans. Financial support: Berkem, CNPq.