An update on alkylresorcinols - Occurrence, bioavailability, bioactivity and utility as biomarkers

Alkylresorcinols (AR) with alkyl chains in the range of C15 to C25 are phenolic lipids particularly abundant in the outer parts of wheat and rye kernels and in food products containing these parts. The content in whole grain and bran products is high (200-4000 μg/g), whereas only trace-levels are detected in refined products. Alkylresorcinols are absorbed in humans in proportion to intake and have therefore been suggested and evaluated as biomarkers for whole grain wheat and rye intake. In humans, plasma AR concentrations reach micromolar concentrations immediately after whole grain wheat and rye product consumption and nano-molar levels at fasting conditions. Results from different model studies have indicated that AR may have some bioactivities including enzyme inhibition, suppression of adipocyte lipolysis and inhibition of colon cancer tumor growth but it is currently unknown whether AR bioactive in vivo or not. This chapter details the recent research findings on alkylresorcinols with emphasis on their occurrence, bioavailability, bioactivity and utility as biomarkers.