Objectives
Cranberry has been known to reduce the number of urinary tract infections. Research suggests that the proanthocyanidins (PACs) in cranberry fruit actively prevent bacterial adhesion to the bladder wall, thereby preventing infection. We sought to measure the levels of PACs in commercially available cranberry products.
Materials and Methods
Seven cranberry products were tested for bacterial anti-adhesion activity using a hemagglutination assay specific for P-fimbriated Escherichia coli. PACs were isolated using the gravimetric technique (C-18 followed by Sephadex LH-20 solid phase chromatography) to determine levels in each product and tested for anti-adhesion activity on an equal weight basis (starting concentration of 5 mg/mL).
Results
Whole products anti-adhesion activity ranged from 0.47 to 60 mg/mL. PAC levels ranged from 0.56 to 175 mg/g. Whole product anti-adhesion activity for four of the products was not able to be detected. See Table 1.
Article Info
Footnotes
DISCLOSURE OF RELEVANT FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIPS: Bilal Chughtai: Nothing to disclose; James C. Forde: Nothing to disclose; Amy Howell: Nothing to disclose.
Identification
Copyright
© 2016 Published by Elsevier Inc.
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