Calystegines are Potential Urine Biomarkers for Dietary Exposure to Potato Products

Scope: Metabolites derived from specific foods present in urine samples can provide objective biomarkers of food intake (BFIs). This study investigated the possibility that calystegines (a class of iminosugars) may provide BIFs for potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) product exposure.

Methods and results: Calystegine content was examined in published data covering a wide range of potato cultivars. We developed rapid methods for the quantification of calystegines in cooked potato products and human urine using triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. The potential of calystegines as BFIs for potato consumption was assessed in a controlled food intervention study in the UK and validated in an epidemiological study in Portugal. Calystegine concentrations were reproducibly above the quantification limit in first morning void urines the day after potato consumption, showing a good dose-response relationship, particularly for calystegine A₃ . The design of the controlled intervention mimicked exposure to a typical UK diet and showed that neither differences in preparation/cooking method or the influence of other foods in the diet had significant impact on biomarker performance. Calystegine biomarkers also performed well in the independent validation study.

Conclusion: We conclude that calystegines have many of the characteristics needed to be considered as specific BFIs for potato product intake. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Keywords: BFIs; calystegines; metabolomics; potato exposure biomarker; solanaceous.