Evaluation of Food Intake Biomarkers for Red Bell Peppers in Human Urine Based on HPLC‐MS/MS Analysis

Abstract

ScopeThe validation of dietary biomarkers is essential for the use in objective and quantitative assessment of the human dietary intake. In this study, the urinary excretion of previously identified potential biomarkers after intake of red bell peppers is analyzed.Methods and resultsThe urine samples obtained after a two‐phase dietary intervention study in which 14 volunteers participated are quantitatively analyzed by high‐performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC‐MS/MS) after an extensive validation. In the first phase, the volunteers abstain completely from bell peppers and paprika products (control group) and in the second phase, the volunteers consume a defined amount of fresh red bell peppers (case group). After analysis, all potential biomarkers show high dispersions of their concentration, indicating interindividual differences. The glucuronidated apocarotenoid (compound 1), which probably resulted from the main carotenoids of red Capsicum fruits, shows a rapid urinary excretion. The other glucuronidated metabolites (compounds 2–8), described as potential derivatives of capsianosides from Capsicum, show a slightly delayed but longer urinary excretion.ConclusionsA correlation between an intake of red bell pepper and the urinary excretion of recently described potential biomarkers is observed. Due to large interindividual differences, it is reasonable to assume that at least the qualitative detection of the consumption of bell peppers and possibly all Capsicum fruits is feasible.