Apples with high polyphenolic content

Abstract

The invention relates to apples comprising high concentrations of polyphenols, to processes for obtaining said apples and to uses of apples as a method of treatment of prophylaxis of cardiovascular disease, colon cancer and digestive health.

1 . An apple extract comprising polyphenols prepared from an apple comprising a total polyphenolic content in excess of 10 000 mg/kg. 
     
     
         2 . An extract as defined in  claim 1 , comprising a total polyphenolic content between 10 000 and 100 000 mg/kg. 
     
     
         3 . An extract as defined in  claim 1 , comprising a total polyphenolic content between 10 000 and 50 000 mg/kg. 
     
     
         4 . An extract as defined in  claim 1 , which is prepared from an apple comprising a red-cut through apple. 
     
     
         5 . An extract as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said polyphenols comprise flavonoids. 
     
     
         6 . An extract as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said flavonoids comprise flavan-3-ols and proanthocyanidins. 
     
     
         7 . An extract as defined in  claim 6 , wherein said flavan-3-ols comprise compounds of formula (V)a: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R 1  represents hydrogen or an OH group. 
       
     
     
         8 . An extract as defined in  claim 6 , wherein said proanthocyanidins comprise compounds of formula (X)a: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R 2  represents hydrogen or an OH group; and 
         n=2 to 30. 
       
     
     
         9 . An extract as defined in  claim 1 , wherein low molecular weight polyphenols comprise greater than 22% of the total polyphenolic content. 
     
     
         10 . An extract as defined in  claim 1 , wherein low molecular weight polyphenols comprise between 22% to 40% of the total polyphenolic content. 
     
     
         11 . An extract as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the low molecular weight polyphenols comprise between 22% to 40% of the total polyphenolic content, wherein at least 85% of the low molecular weight polyphenols comprise compounds of formula (V)a 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R 1  represents hydrogen or an OH group. 
       
     
     
         12 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A method of providing vasodilation or for the prophylaxis or treatment of cardiovascular disease or colon cancer in a subject in need of such vasodilation or treatment comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of an apple extract as defined in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A dosage form comprising an apple extract as defined in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         19 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A dietary composition comprising an apple extract as defined in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         22 . A dietary composition as defined in  claim 21 , which additionally comprises other nutrients selected from vitamins, minerals, and prebiotics and probiotics. 
     
     
         23 . A dietary composition as defined in  claim 21  and optionally other nutrients selected from vitamins, minerals, and prebiotics and probiotics, which is a drink or a solid foodstuff. 
     
     
         24 . A dietary composition as defined in  claim 23 , which is formulated as a liquid dosage form. 
     
     
         25 . A dietary composition as defined in  claim 24 , wherein the liquid dosage form additionally comprises thickeners, tonicity adjusting agents, buffering agents. 
     
     
         26 . A method of providing vasodilation or for the prophylaxis or treatment of cardiovascular disease or colon cancer in a subject in need of such vasodilation or treatment comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a dietary composition as defined in  claim 21 .