Curcumin bioavailability from enriched bread: the effect of microencapsulated ingredients

Human bioavailability of curcumin from breads enriched with 1 g/portion of free curcumin (FCB), encapsulated curcumin (ECB), or encapsulated curcumin plus other polyphenols (ECBB) was evaluated. Parental and metabolized curcuminoids and phenolic acids were quantified by HPLC/MS/MS in blood, urine, and feces collected over 24 h. The concentrations of serum curcuminoids were always below 4 nmol/L and those of glucuronides 10-fold less. Encapsulation delayed and increased curcuminoid absorption as compared to the free ingredient. Serum and urinary concentrations of ferulic and vanillic acid were between 2- and 1000-fold higher than those of curcuminoids, with ECBB eliciting the highest amounts. Fecal curcuminoids were 6-fold more abundant after ECB than FCB, while phenolic acids after ECBB quadruplicated those after ECB. Curcuminoid encapsulation increased their bioavailability from enriched bread, probably preventing their biotransformation, with combined compounds slightly reducing this effect. Phenolic acids are the major metabolites of curcuminoids and may contribute to their biological properties.