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Analysis of microsamples of human faeces: a non-invasive approach to study the bioavailability of fat-soluble bioactive compounds

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Abstract

Introduction

Bioavailability is a critical feature in the assessment of the role of micronutrients in human health. Poorly bioavailable micronutrients like carotenoids may reach significant concentrations in the gastrointestinal tract where they may exert biological actions.

Purpose

We evaluated a simple collection protocol to determine vitamin A, E and carotenoids in microsamples of human faeces as a non-invasive approach for nutritional studies.

Methods

Microsamples of human faeces were collected using a commercially available device, extracted and analysed on two LC systems. Suitability of the protocol was assessed by evaluating several factors including the effect of simulated colonic conditions and two nutritional scenarios with different dietary components, chemical forms, nutritional goals and target groups.

Results

The protocol was reproducible and representative of a faeces sample. The major dietary and serum carotenoids, and several “unidentified” compounds (possibly metabolites) could be detected, and cis-/trans-β-carotene profile reflected dietary intervention. In faeces of neonates, free retinol, retinyl and α-tocopheryl acetate (from infant formula), long-chain fatty acid retinyl esters (from human milk), free γ-tocopherol and α-tocopherol could be detected.

Conclusion

Our results show that the analysis of vitamin A, E and carotenoids in microsamples of human faeces is a suitable, non-invasive approach that may provide relevant information regarding responsiveness, nutrient stability and metabolism and may help assess adequacy of chemical forms and delivery systems reaching the colon.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Antonio Zafra and Fernando Moreno for their technical assistance in the collection and handling of samples. The experimental beverages used in the human intervention study (NCT 02065024) were provided by Hero España S.A. This work was partially funded by Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (Spain) (AGL2012-39503-C02-02).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Grupo Metabolismo y Nutrición, IDIPHIM, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, 28222, Madrid, Spain

    E. Hernandez-Alvarez, B. I. Pérez-Sacristán, I. Blanco-Navarro, E. Donoso-Navarro, R. A. Silvestre-Mardomingo & F. Granado-Lorencio

  2. Servicio de Bioquímica Clínica, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, 28222, Madrid, Spain

    E. Hernandez-Alvarez, I. Blanco-Navarro, E. Donoso-Navarro, R. A. Silvestre-Mardomingo & F. Granado-Lorencio

  3. Unidad de Vitaminas, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, 28222, Madrid, Spain

    B. I. Pérez-Sacristán, I. Blanco-Navarro & F. Granado-Lorencio

Authors
  1. E. Hernandez-Alvarez
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  2. B. I. Pérez-Sacristán
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  3. I. Blanco-Navarro
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  4. E. Donoso-Navarro
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  5. R. A. Silvestre-Mardomingo
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  6. F. Granado-Lorencio
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to F. Granado-Lorencio.

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Hernandez-Alvarez, E., Pérez-Sacristán, B.I., Blanco-Navarro, I. et al. Analysis of microsamples of human faeces: a non-invasive approach to study the bioavailability of fat-soluble bioactive compounds. Eur J Nutr 54, 1371–1378 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-015-0939-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-015-0939-5

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