Proanthocyanidins – a final frontier in flavonoid research?

Summary Proanthocyanidins are oligomeric and polymeric end products of the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway. They are present in the fruits, bark, leaves and seeds of many plants, where they provide protection against predation. At the same time they give flavor and astringency to beverages such as wine, fruit juices and teas, and are increasingly recognized as having beneficial effects on human health. The presence of proanthocyanidins is also a major quality factor for forage crops. The past 2 years have seen important breakthroughs in our understanding of the biosynthesis of the building blocks of proanthocyanidins, the flavan‐3‐ols (+)‐catechin and (–)‐epicatechin. However, virtually nothing is known about…

• SR
  Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation
• AN
  Agence Nationale de la Recherche