Metabolomics study of cereal grains reveals the discriminative metabolic markers associated with anatomical compartments

• Main Authors: A.A. Moazzami, M. Coulomb, A. Gombert
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chiriotti Editori 2015-06-01
• Series: Italian Journal of Food Science
• Subjects: metabolomics, NMR, wholegrain, rye, wheat, metabolites, biomarkers
• Online Access: http://www.chiriottieditori.it/ojs/index.php/ijfs/article/view/180

This study used NMR-based metabolomics to compare the metabolic profile of different anatomical compartments of cereal grains i.e. bran and endosperm in order to gain further insights<br />into their possible role in the beneficial health effects of whole grain products (WG). Polar watersoluble metabolites in 64 bran and endosperm, samples from rye and wheat were observed using<br />600 MHz NMR. Bran samples had higher contents of 12 metabolites than endosperm samples. A comparative approach revealed higher contents of azelaic acid and sebacic acid in bran than in endosperm. In a pilot study, the consumption of WG rye bread (485 g) caused NMR signals in 24h urine corresponding to azelaic acid. The relatively high abundance, anatomical specificity, pattern<br />of metabolism, urinary excretion in human, antibacterial, and anticancer activities suggest further studying of azelaic acid when exposure to WG or beneficial effects of WG are investigated.