Recently, we announced the collaboration between Ocean Spray Cranberries and Complete Phytochemical Solutions, LLC to improve the accuracy of quantifying proanthocyanidins (PACs) in cranberries. Tom Jones, senior manager, business development, outlines the importance of precise and accurate methods for the analysis of PACs and explains how this initiative will hopefully help to bring an end to the long-standing dispute in the cranberry industry.
Why does PAC measurement matter?
Decades of research have highlighted the role that the North American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) plays in promoting whole body health and wellness, but the fruit remains most famous for its role in helping to reduce the risk of urinary tract infections. Studies have shown that this unique property could be explained by the unusual A-type PACs in cranberry and this may “help reduce the adhesion of certain E. coli bacteria to the urinary tract walls”.
To establish efficacy guidelines for consumers and regulators, manufacturers must be able to measure accurately the PAC content of cranberry products. Standardized test materials also play an essential role in furthering cranberry research and allowing the accurate comparison and communication of PAC levels.
Is this a proprietary method?
No. The standards being developed will be commercially available to the cranberry industry worldwide, through Complete Phytochemical Solutions.
What is the debate about?
There are several methods for measuring PACs including gravimetric, colorimetric and HPLC methods. The scientific community is divided over how PAC content should be measured. The two most prevalent methodologies (BL-DMAC and EuraCran) utilized by the cranberry industry for PAC quantification are both colorimetric methods, but they deliver significantly different results.
Of these, the BL-DMAC method has gained favour, with key scientists and regulators recognizing it as a valid measurement of PACs. The cranberry naturally contains diverse sizes of PACs and is particularly abundant in medium to longer chain PACs. However, the BL-DMAC method can underestimate the PAC content in some cranberry products, due to the use of the low molecular mass procyanidin A-2 standard to quantify PACs of different sizes and lengths.
What are you hoping to achieve through the new collaboration?
We have consigned Complete Phytochemical Solutions, LLC, to take the BL-DMAC methodology to the next level through the development of cranberry based standards and a more sensitive quantitative measurement for cranberry PACs.
Once completed, our intent is to make the standards available industry-wide with the hope that this improved methodology will be validated, embraced by the industry and become the accepted testing protocol for measuring PACs.