Absorption and urinary excretion of A-type procyanidin oligomers from Litchi chinensis pericarp in rats by selected ion monitoring liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

► The absorption and urinary excretion of A-type procyanidins from monomer to tetramer were investigated in rats. ► The dose-response relationship of the procyanidin intake and its metabolites excreted was discussed. ► The beneficial health effects of A-type procyanidin were in connection with its microbial metabolites.