Metabolic fate of chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) phenolics in different food matrices

Chokeberry (<i>Aronia melanocarpa</i>) has been traditionally used as a folk remedy due to its health-promoting effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of chokeberry polyphenols combined with the matrices of milk and milk alternatives on the permeability of the intestinal barrier. Based on this, <i>in vitro</i> availability of chokeberry polyphenols was tested by gastrointestinal model combined with a co-culture of human colon adenocarcinoma cells (Caco-2) and human colon cancer cells (HT29-MTX). Additionally, the antioxidant capacity of the samples was analyzed by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assays. According to the results, both chokeberry juice and chokeberry juice in combination with milk showed a higher recovery of DPPH radical scavenging ability after intestinal digestion. Moreover, a significant difference in the transport of Lucifer Yellow through the intestinal membrane was observed when compared to the control. Therefore, fat- and protein-rich food matrices could represent a potential to increase the bioavailability of phenolic compounds while reducing intestinal barrier injury.