Princeton ACS Meeting Announcement

Joint Meeting

Princeton & Trenton ACS Sections

Thursday, April 8, 2010

our guest speaker will be

Nicholi Vorsa, PhD

Department of Plant Biology and Pathology, Rutgers University

“Cranberry Polyphenols and their Potential Benefit to Human Health: Cranberry Flavonoid Bioactivities and Bioavailability"

6:00 PM, Rider University (map),

Fireside Lounge, Bart Ludeke Student Center

Abstract

Cranberry flavonoids have been associated with a number of beneficial health effects. Cranberry consumption is reputed to be protective against urinary tract infections and cardiovascular diseases. Other benefits include activity against dental caries, as anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities. Since the 1800’s, cranberry consumption has been recommended as a remedy for urinary tract infection or dysuria. In vitro, cranberry A-type proanthocyanidins interfere with the adhesion of the principal pathogen in urinary infection, uropathogenic P-fimbriated E. coli bacteria. The inhibition of bacterial adherence by cranberry proanthocyanidins is currently thought to be the principal mechanism for urinary tract health. Cranberry is uniquely rich in a number of flavonoid classes including the mentioned proanthocyanidins, as well as flavonols and anthocyanins. All three classes are thought contribute to the very high anti-oxidant potential of cranberry relative to other fruit crops. The consumption of cranberry products have exhibited positive effects in vivo. However, the bioavailability, metabolism, tissue distribution and excretion of the various cranberry flavonoid compounds in vivo are little understood. A fuller understanding of the benefits of cranberry for human health will require elucidation of their absorption characteristics, metabolism, sites of activity and excretion.

Biography

Professor Nicholi Vorsa received an MS in Plant Breeding and Genetics in 1978 from University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a PhD from Rutgers University in 1984. He joined the Rutgers faculty in 1985 and is currently Professor in the Department of Plant Biology and Pathology. He is Director of the Rutgers University PE Marucci Center of Blueberry and Cranberry Research and Extension, Chatsworth, NJ. His research identified A-type proanthocyanidins in cranberry that inhibit the adhesion of uropathogenic P-fimbriated E. coli to Gal(α1–4) Galβ moieties of human erythrocyte membrane glycolipids. In collaboration with other laboratories additional bioactivities of cranberry components have been identified including cytotoxicity to and increasing the sensitivity of platinum drug resistant ovarian cancer cell lines to platinum drugs, inhibitory effects against S. mutans involved with dental caries, and anti-inflammatory activities. The bioavailability and metabolism of cranberry flavonoids in vivo are the current area of focus. His research efforts also include the breeding and genetics of blueberry and cranberry with particular focus on the genetic manipulation of cranberry flavonoids and other fruit chemistry traits. He has published over 90 scientific papers and six patents. His research has been funded by the NJ Commission of Science and Technology, NIH, USDA, DOD as well as industry.

Reservations:

Dinner buffet is $20 for members and $10 for students.  Reservations are required for dinner only; all are welcome to come for the presentation. Please contact Denise D’Auria (609-258-5202), or Dr. William McCarroll (609-896-0392) by April 1st to make or cancel reservations.

Directions to Rider University:

From Route 1 take I-95 South (I-295 North) to exit 7A.  Follow Route 206 South for 1/4 mile.  Pass the main entrance and enter through the South Entrance. Go through the guard gate and park in the lot on your right.  See map.