The effect of two technological treatments on orange juice flavanone bioavailability in humans was assessed. Processing affected flavanone solubility and particle size of the cloud. Volunteers were stratified in high, medium, and low urinary excretion capabilities. Flavanones from high-pressure homogenized juice showed better absorption than those of conventional pasteurized juice in high excretors. These differences were not observed in medium and low excretors. High flavanone excretors took advantage of the high-pressure homogenization juice attributes (smaller cloud particle size) and showed an improved absorption/excretion. Stratification of the individuals by their excretion capability is more relevant than technological treatments in terms of flavanone bioavailability. This stratification should be considered in clinical studies with citrus juices and extracts as it could explain the large interindividual variability that is often observed.
Keywords: bioavailability; flavanones; orange juice; technological treatments; volunteer stratification.