14 Flavonoids Flashcards
Phytochemical definition
natural chemicals found in plants
generally non-nutritive
physiologically active components
disease prevention
Flavonoids are a subclass of?
polyphenols
- secondary metabolites of plants
- essential to plant physiology
Common structural feature of polyphenols?
aromatic rings with atlas one hydroxyl group
most abundant polyphenols in food
phenolic acids and flavonoids
Why such a large variability in polyphenols in food?
light genetic factos environment germination degree of ripeness variety processing storage
Vitamin P
Flavonoids
- P for pigment
Flavonoids enhance what vitamin
Vit C
- improves absorption, and protects from oxidation
Flavonoids are ubiquitis
present in most plants
Basic structure of flavonoids
2 aromatic rings (OH hydroxyl arising from both)
- one arising from acetate pathway
- one from shikimate pathway
center ring determines class of flavonoid
6 classes of flavonoids **
flavones flavonoles flavanones flavanols anthocyanidins isoflavones
flavonoids food sources
widely distributed
- fruits, veges, tea, cocoa, wine
- one outer part of plant, lower conc towards center
flavonoids are usually attached/conjugated to..
carbohydrate moieties
purpose of glycoside form (glycosylation)
increases polarity
necessary for storage in plant vacuoles
Main biological effects of flavonoids
- anti-oxidant
- hormonal/anti-hormonal
- isoflavone - anti-proliferation
- cancer
many others
Major disease related effects
cancer
CVD
others: aging, diabetes, etc
- virtually anything related to oxidative stress