2014 ASHS Annual Conference

Orange peel is a resource rich in phenolic antioxidants, including several classes of flavonoids and hydroxycinnamates.  These compounds have been extensively studied for their biological actions particularly against chronic diseases in humans.  Yet, full development of these materials as new, commercial products has yet to be achieved, as important gaps still exist in our understanding of the pharmacokinetics and modes of actions of these compounds.  Investigations into the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of these compounds show important differences among different classes of these compounds.  The pharmacokinetic Area Under the Curve (AUC) values are much higher for the orange peel polymethoxylated flavones than for the flavanone glycosides.  The latter compounds also show complete conversion to glucuro/sulfate conjugates, while significant portions of the original polymethoxylated flavones as well as their conjugates occur in blood plasma.  These differences in circulating chemical species may play key roles in determining the modes of actions of these compounds.  Better understandings of the modes of actions of these peel compounds will help in targeting new health-based applications.