Beer produced via hydrodynamic cavitation retains higher amounts of xanthohumol and other hops prenylflavonoids

Abstract

A fraction of the most valuable bioactive compounds in beer comes from hops polyphenols, mainly flavonoids, some of which are unique to inflorescences of that flowering plant. Although far from pharmacologically relevant concentrations, the intake of low doses of xanthohumol and related prenylflavonoids found in beer contributes to significant preventive actions with regards to certain diseases, such as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative, as well as to distinct chemopreventive effects on certain cancer types. Hence the efforts to explore both ingredients and methods able to enhance the concentration of such bioactive compounds in the final beers. A novel brewing method assisted by hydrodynamic cavitation was proved able, under suitable process conditions, to retain or generate higher amounts of xanthohumol, desmethylxanthohumol and 6-geranylnaringenin, extending recent evidence about different food and respective bioproducts, as well as adding to its distinct benefits to the brewing process.