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B--Study for characterization of phytochemical proanthocyanidin (PAC) from cranberry. and to complete identification of bacterial composition of fecal samples used in in vitro colon bioreactor.

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W911QY12P0529Federal

Contract Overview

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AI Contract Overview

The U.S. Army Contracting Command at Natick, MA, plans to award a purchase order to Tufts University for the characterization of phytochemical proanthocyanidins (PAC) extracted from cranberry and for identifying bacterial composition in fecal samples used in an in vitro colon bioreactor. This work supports a Department of the Army project investigating how colonic bacterial metabolites of proanthocyanidins influence intestinal epithelial cell defenses. Tufts will extract PAC fractions from cranberry powder provided by NSRDEC using sequential solvent extraction and solid-phase methods, followed by drying and preparation of a PAC-rich powder. This powder will be sent back to NSRDEC for fermentation in a controlled in vitro colonic system, after which the fermentor samples will be processed, frozen, and returned to Tufts for detailed biochemical analysis using advanced tandem liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry techniques. Additional fractionation steps may be performed to optimize metabolite analysis. The contract calls for four separate fermentation experiments, each involving five time-point data collections to track PAC metabolism over time. Analysis will focus on identifying bacterial-transformed PAC metabolites using an ABI SCIEX 3000 LC-MS/MS system with triple quadrupole detection, potentially incorporating liquid-liquid and solid-phase extractions to reduce interference. The NAICS code associated with this effort is 611310, with interested parties invited to submit quotations by August 15, 2012. This collaborative research effort aims to advance understanding of dietary polyphenol metabolism by gut bacteria and its effects on intestinal health through detailed chemical and microbiological characterization.

General Info

Tufts to analyze cranberry proanthocyanidins and gut bacteria metabolites for Army project.

Agency

Department Of Defense → W6QK Acc-Apg Natick

NAICS

611310 - Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools

Place of Performance

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NONE

Documents

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Timeline

PostedAug 10

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Organization & Contact Information

AgencyDepartment Of Defense → W6QK Acc-Apg Natick

ContactsNo contacts available

OfficeNATICK, MA, 01760-5011, USA

Organization / AgencyDepartment Of Defense → W6QK Acc-Apg Natick

Office AddressNATICK, MA, 01760-5011, USA

ContactsNo contact information available

Full Description

On behalf of the NSRDEC located in Natick MA and under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b) (1), the U.S. Army Contracting Command-APG, Natick Contracting Division Natick, MA, intends to award a purchase order to Tufts University of Boston MA for characterization of phytochemical proanthocyanidin (PAC) from cranberry, and to complete identification of bacterial composition of fecal samples used in in vitro colon bioreactor. The contract supports the currently funded Department of the Army 6.1 ILIR project "The Influence of Colonic Bacterial Metabolites of Proanthocyanidins on Cellular Defense Mechanisms of Intestinal Epithelial Cells". A proanthocyanidin (PAC)-rich fraction containing PAC's of varying degrees of polymerization (dP) will be extracted from cranberry powder (supplied by NSRDEC) using appropriate solvents in sequence (ethanol, methanol, acetone) and accepted solid phase (C18, Sephadex LH-20, Diaion HP-20) extraction & drying procedures. Drying will be achieved using a Buchi Rotovap solvent extractor, with a final aqueous drying step accomplished using a VirTis Freeze-dryer to produce dried powder. The PAC-rich powder will then be shipped to NSRDEC and serve as a substrate introduced into an in vitro colonic bacterial fermentor (located at NSRDEC). The fermentor supernatant will be centrifuged, decanted, snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen and shipped back to Tufts where the PAC bioconversion will be evaluated via tandem liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Characterization of PAC and bacterial-derived transformed metabolites of PAC will be achieved using an ABI SCIEX 3000 LC-MS/MS system with triple quadrapole MS condition. If necessary, the PAC-fecal ferment medium will be fractionated at Tufts using a preparatory procedure of a liquid-liquid extraction followed by solid phase extraction similar to above. This preparation will be employed to fractionate metabolites before LC-MS/MS analysis to minimize the impact of interference compounds to optimize MS signal sensitivity. During the period of performance stated below, there will be four (4) individual fermentation experiments. Each fermentation experiment will include five (5) time-course data points. The NAICS Code for this acquisition is 611310. Any interested parties may submit their quote and specification package for consideration to the U.S. Army Contracting Command-APG, Natick Contracting Division, via e-mail at contact@example.gov . Closing date of this announcement will be August 15 2012 12:00pm EDT.