Formulation with ascorbic acid and sucrose modulates catechin bioavailability from green tea

In order to investigate the impact of common food ingredients on catechin absorption, green tea (GT) extract (50 mg) was formulated plain, with sucrose (GT + S), with ascorbic acid (GT + AA) and with sucrose and ascorbic acid (GT + S + AA). Bioavailability and bioaccessibility were assessed in Sprague Dawley rats and an in vitro digestion/Caco-2 cell model respectively. Absorption of epigallocatechin (EGC) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) was significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced in GT + S + AA formulations (AUC0–6 h = 3237.0 and 181.8 pmol h/L plasma respectively) relative to GT control (AUC0–6 h = 1304.1 and 61.0 pmol h/L plasma respectively). In vitro digestive recovery was higher for EGC and epicatechin (EC) (∼51–53%) relative to EGCG and epicatechin gallate (ECG) (<20%) and was modestly enhanced in GT + S and GT + S + AA formulations. Accumulation of EGC, EGCG and ECG by Caco-2 cells was significantly (P < 0.05) higher from GT + S + AA compared to other formulations while retention of catechins was enhanced in presence of ascorbic acid. These data suggest that formulation with sucrose and ascorbic acid may improve catechin bioavailability by enhancing bioaccessibility and intestinal uptake from tea.