Bioactivity and Structure of Biophenols as Mediators of Chronic Diseases

Abstract

Biophenols and their associated activity have generated intense interest. Current topics of debate are their bioavailability and bioactivity. It is generally assumed that their plasma concentrations are insufficient to produce the health benefits previously attributed to their consumption. However, data on localized in vivo concentrations are not available and many questions remain unanswered. Potential mechanisms by which they may exert significant bioactivity are discussed together with structure activity relationships. Biophenols are highly reactive species and they can react with a range of other compounds. Products of their reaction when functioning as antioxidants are examined.

Keywords:

• antioxidant
• bioactivity
• dietary intake
• reaction products

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors wish to thank Dr Jeffrey Cohn, Heart Research Institute, Sydney, Australia and Dr Paul Prenzler, Charles Sturt University for valuable insight in the preparation of this manuscript.