Permeability of native and digested polyphenols from apple, blueberry and cranberry extracts using PAMPA membrane permeability assays

Abstract

The Parallel Artificial Membrane Permeability Assay (PAMPA) combined to a one-compartment in vitro gastrointestinal digestion screening was used to determine the passive diffusion of polyphenols and their metabolites through artificial membranes that mimic the skin barrier, the blood-brain barrier and the gastric barrier. Identification of the polyphenols from the extracts of cranberry, blueberry and apple pomace was performed utilizing Ultra High Performance Chromatography coupled with accurate mass quadrupole Time of Flight mass spectrometer. The polyphenols were tested as pure compound and in complex polyphenol-rich extracts including a matrix effect. In agreement with their physicochemical properties the polyphenols showed different absorption potential. The rate of effective permeability of the polyphenols was performed to rank them into permeable and non-permeable classes using spectrophotometry. The study suggested that PAMPA models could be used as a low-cost and rapid technique to determine the passive permeability of polyphenols when compared to biological models.