Analysis and standardization of cranberry products

Folklore has long supported the role of cranberry juice in maintaining urinary tract health. Now, a significant body of scientific evidence supports this cranberry benefit. Recently, bioassay directed fractionation studies have identified cranberry proanthocyanidins as the compounds responsible for preventing the adhesion of certain E. Coli to the uroepithelial cells. Prior to this discovery, an established analytical method for determining the percentage of cranberry juice in a product has been used to standardize products to ensure the contained a minimum and consistent amount of cranberry. Now, with this evidence for the active component in urinary tract health, valid analytical methods are needed to assure product claims regarding proanthocyanidin content. The analytical methods and the issues faced in validating methods for cranberry proanthocyanidin quantification will be reviewed.