Award details

Phytochemicals and health

Reference	BBS/E/F/00041036
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Richard Mithen
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Dr Yongping Bao, Dr Paul Kroon
Institution	Quadram Institute Bioscience
Department	Quadram Institute Bioscience Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	4,504,700
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/1999
End date	31/03/2005
Duration	72 months

Abstract

The metabolism of phytochemicals and toxicants (flavonoids, glucosinolates and phytoestrogens) in foods affects uptake, biological activity and excretion rate and hence the final health outcome. Research will focus on the enzymology of metabolism, identification of metabolites and effects on cellular processes including biomarkers to predict disease outcomes. The approaches used will be molecular and cellular, using human material whenever possible, gut models, and in vivo studies with humans. The aim of the work on phytochemicals and toxicants is to undertake multidisciplinary research aimed at understanding the responses of humans to dietary phytochemicals, especially in relation to issues of diet and health. Bioavailability is a key issue in phytochemicals, and uptake and metabolism is closely linked to the chemical structure in the food as consumed. Biological effects of metabolites of most phytochemicals are not understood, simply because the metabolites have not yet been identified. We plan innovative research in the route of metabolism including the testing of a novel hypothesis for the first step of metabolism which is essential for uptake. Once identified, important biological properties will be tested. The answers will help to show the benefits and risks of consuming novel foods enhanced in certain phytochemicals

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Agri-food (AF)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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