Metabolic profiling of (poly)phenolic compounds in mouse urine following consumption of hull-less and purple-grain barley.

The present study attempted for the first time to investigate the metabolic fate of (poly)phenolic compounds provided by a hull-less and purple grain barley genotype biofortified in anthocyanins. Balb/c mice were supplemented either with standard purified diet (SD) or whole-grain barley supplemented diet (WGB) for six weeks. Subsequently, (poly)phenolic metabolites were determined in urine samples by UPLC-MS/MS, and the principal metabolic pathways were elucidated. Thirty-nine (poly)phenolics compounds were identified in WGB which were distributed between the free (58%) and bound (42%) fractions, encompassing anthocyanins, phenolic acids, flavan-3-ols and flavones. Upon WGB intake, forty-two (poly)phenolic metabolites were identified, predominantly comprising phase-II sulphate, glucuronide, and/or methylated conjugates, along with colonic catabolites. Noteworthy metabolites included peonidin-3- O -glucuronide, peonidin-3- O -6''- O -malonylglucoside, and peonidin-3- O -glucoside among anthocyanins; hydroxyphenylpropanoic acid- O -sulphate among phenolic acids; and 5-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-γ-valerolactone- O -sulphate among flavan-3-ols. Metabolites like phenylpropionic, phenylacetic, hydroxybenzoic, and hippuric acids were found in both WGB and SD groups, with higher levels after barley consumption, indicating both endogenous and polyphenolic metabolism origins. Overall, this study offers valuable insights into the metabolism of (poly)phenols in purple barley, setting the stage for future investigations into the health benefits linked to the consumption of purple grain barley.