LONG-LASTING ABSORPTION OF FLAVONOIDS

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods for a long-term and sustained release of flavonoids, in particular rhamnose-containing flavonoids, and for prolonging the uptake of said flavonoids in the gastro-intestinal tract. It further relates to compositions comprising said flavonoid and α-rhamnosidase. It also encompasses compositions comprising hesperidin and hesperetin-7-glucoside.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods for a long-term and sustained release of flavonoids, in particular rhamnose-containing flavonoids, and for prolonging the uptake of said flavonoids in the gastro-intestinal tract. It further relates to compositions comprising said flavonoid and α-rhamnosidase. It also encompasses compositions comprising hesperidin and hesperetin-7-glucoside.

BACKGROUND ART

Flavonoids, or bioflavonoids, are a ubiquitous group of polyphenolic substances which are present in most plants, concentrating in seeds, fruit skin or peel, bark, and flowers. A great number of plant medicines contain flavonoids, which have been reported by many authors as having antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, antimutagenic, antiviral, antineoplastic, anti-thrombotic, and vasodilatory actions.

Recent developments described in WO 2005/058255 A1 also show the benefits of flavanone-containing compositions for improving the skin, hair and coat health of humans or pets.

In nature, these compounds mainly occur as glycosides. This conjugation with sugars impacts markedly their kinetics of absorption. For instance, flavonoid glucosides have a fast and early absorption while flavonoid rutinosides (rhamnose-glucoside) have a slow and late absorption.

For flavonoid rutinosides such as hesperidin, bioavailability is low and late in mammals due to the lack of the enzyme α-rhamnosidase in the small intestine, which would remove the rhamnose moiety of said flavonoid rutinosides. This leads to time-consuming progression of flavonoid rutinosides in the gastro-intestinal tract through to the colon.

Health foods and drinks containing long-acting flavonoid glycosides are described in JP 2003-073279 whereby a mixture of flavonoids having various degrees of glycosylation is included in the food product such that the absorption occurs throughout the gastro-intestinal tract.

JP 2000-078955 also describes a way to improve the absorption of flavonoids in food or medicine by providing a mixture of physiologically active flavonoids and derivatives thereof.

Further, Espin J. C. et al. describe in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2004, 52(20), p. 6136-6142, the production of bioavailable glucoside flavonoids in fruit juices and green tea. This is achieved by treating the fruit juices and green tea with rhamnosidase enzymes from Aspergillus aculeatus.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

There thus still remains a need to provide alternative ways by which flavonoid compositions have a controlled effect in mammals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, this need is solved by the features of the independent claims. The dependent claims further develop the central idea of the invention.

Thus, in a first aspect of the invention, a composition comprising at least one rhamnose-containing flavonoid and α-rhamnosidase.

The compositions of the invention are formulated for cosmetic, nutritional and pharmaceutical use.

In a second aspect, the invention relates to a bacterium having α-rhamnosidase activity, which is selected from Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus acidophilus or Leuconostoc mesenteroides.

The present invention relates, in a further aspect, to the use of α-rhamnosidase in the preparation of a composition comprising at least one rhamnose-containing flavonoid for improving the bioefficacy and/or bioavailability of said flavonoid.

Under another aspect of the invention, the use of α-rhamnosidase and at least one rhamnose-containing flavonoid in the manufacture of a composition for the improvement of skin health is provided.

Also, the cosmetic use of the compositions of the invention represents another facet of the invention.

Also relating to the invention is a method for sustaining and/or improving the bioavailability of rhamnose-containing flavonoids comprising the step of providing a composition comprising at least one rhamnose-containing flavonoid and α-rhamnosidase, said α-rhamnosidase being in a state in which it is essentially not able to cleave the rhamnose moiety of said flavonoid.

A method for prolonging the plasma levels of metabolites of rhamnose-containing flavonoids after ingestion of said flavonoid comprising the step of orally providing a composition comprising at least one rhamnose-containing flavonoid and α-rhamnosidase, said α-rhamnosidase being in a state in which it is essentially not able to cleave the rhamnose moiety of said flavonoid, is a further aspect of the present invention.

A method for improving skin health comprising the step of orally administering a composition comprising at least one rhamnose-containing flavonoid and α-rhamnosidase, or orally administering separately and simultaneously a composition comprising at least one rhamnose-containing flavonoid and α-rhamnosidase, said α-rhamnosidase being in a state in which it is essentially not able to cleave the rhamnose moiety of said flavanoid, also falls under an aspect of the present invention.

Finally, the present invention encompasses compositions which comprise a mix of hesperidin and hesperetin-7-glucoside, preferably in a ratio of between 70/30 to 50/50.

FIGURES

The present invention is further described hereinafter with reference to some of its embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 a depicts the molecular structure of hesperidin,

FIG. 1 b depicts the molecular structure of hesperetin-7-glucoside,

FIG. 1 c depicts the molecular structure of hesperetin, and

FIG. 2 is a graph comparing the plasma hesperetin levels depending on whether hesperetin-7-glucoside alone is ingested, whether hesperidin alone is ingested or whether a composition according to the present invention is consumed.

FIG. 3 shows the disappearance of hesperidin in vitro in conditions close to those of the small intestine (pH 6) in the presence of pure α-rhamnosidase (CTRL+), in the presence of entire cells of Lactobacillus gasseri CNCM I-3795 (907 EC), in the presence of broken cells of Lactobacillus gasseri CNCM I-3795 (907 CE) or in the absence of any bacteria/enzyme (CTRL−).

FIG. 4 shows the formation of hesperetin-7-glucoside at pH 6 (calculated from the starting point amount of hesperidin (100%)), wherein CTRL+, CTRL−, 907 CE and 907 EC have the same meaning as in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows the formation of hesperetin at pH 6 when treating hesperidin with entire or broken cells of Lactobacillus gasseri (CNCM I-3795)

FIG. 6 shows the disappearance of hesperidin in vitro in conditions close to those of the stomach after digestion of a meal (pH 4) in the presence of pure α-rhamnosidase (CTRL+), in the presence of entire cells of Lactobacillus gasseri CNCM I-3795 (907 EC), in the presence of broken cells of Lactobacillus gasseri CNCM I-3795 (907 CE) or in the absence of any bacteria/enzyme (CTRL−).

FIG. 7 shows the formation of hesperetin-7-glucoside at pH 4 (calculated from the starting point amount of hesperidin (100%)), wherein CTRL+, CTRL−, 907 CE and 907 EC have the same meaning as in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 illustrates the result of TIM1 experiment. Hydrolysis of hesperidin into hesperetin-7-glucoside monitored up to 3 hours in stomach and small intestine when using bacterial strains of Lactobacillus gasseri (CNCM I-3795). The figure shows that bacterial enzymes are poorly active in the stomach, only in the small intestine and that the amount of hydrolysed hesperidin decreases as the compounds moves down the GI-tract.

FIG. 9 illustrates the degree of hydrolysis of hesperidin into hesperetin-7-glucoside when using pure α-rhamnosidase enzyme. This graph shows that pure enzyme is active in stomach but less active in the GI-tract.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to ways in which to control the absorption of rhamnose-containing flavonoids in mammals such that, after ingestion of said flavonoid, the absorption occurs equally at the upper and lower gastro-intestinal tract or throughout the length of the gastro-intestinal tract.

Thus, the basic principle underlying the present invention, in order to achieve a long-lasting and regulated effect, is a way to provide, in a regulated fashion, a flavonoid which is, at least partially, in an absorbable form throughout its passage in the gastro-intestinal tract of a mammal. Typically, the flavonoid is at least partially hydrolysed in the upper gastro-intestinal tract and also in the colon.

According to the invention, the presence of α-rhamnosidase at an early stage of digestion (stomach, small intestine) allows, to a certain extent, partial cleavage of rhamnose-containing flavonoids (cf. FIGS. 3-9). This results in the flavonoids being more absorbable, earlier on in the digestion process. Moreover, enzymes naturally present in the colon further the cleavage process such that a sustained absorption of flavonoids throughout their passage in the gastro-intestinal tract ensues.

Accordingly, the present invention proposes compositions comprising at least one rhamnose-containing flavonoid and an α-rhamnosidase, wherein the α-rhamnosidase is in a state in which it is essentially not able to cleave the rhamnose-containing flavonoid.

Provided the right conditions are met (environment, pH, temperatures etc.), α-rhamnosidase enzymes normally have the ability to cleave substrates comprising a rhamnose moiety.

In the compositions of the invention however, the enzyme is in a state such that it is essentially prevented from carrying out its normal function. It is only upon ingestion of the compositions that the environment of the enzyme is changed such that the new conditions (pH, temperature etc.) allow the enzyme to become active and thus to cleave the rhamnose moiety of the flavonoid.

Thus, in the compositions, uses or methods of the present invention, the α-rhamnosidase is in a state in which it is essentially not able to cleave the rhamnose-containing flavonoid. Only upon ingestion of the composition is the α-rhamnosidase able to cleave the rhamnose-containing flavonoid.

This “retarded” α-rhamnosidase activity ensures that the cleaving of the flavonoid by the α-rhamnosidase will only occur upon ingestion. Thus, only in gastro-intestinal tract conditions does the α-rhamnosidase activity occur.

This can be achieved by several means, according to varying embodiments of the invention.

For instance, this can be achieved by having the α-rhamnosidase in the composition under conditions in which it is “inactive”, i.e. it is not able to cleave the rhamnose moiety of the flavanoid. An inactive α-rhamnosidase is, for example, an α-rhamnosidase which has been treated with an inhibitor, such that only when the conditions of the gastro-intestinal tract are met, the α-rhamnosidase is able to be active.

Alternatively, the conditions in the composition may be such that the enzyme is “inactive”, for example by having high pH value. Upon ingestion, the low pH of the gastro-intestinal tract will provide favourable conditions for the α-rhamnosidase to become active.

According to another embodiment, this can be achieved by separating the α-rhamnosidase in the composition from the flavonoid. The separation is such that the α-rhamnosidase is not in direct contact with the flavonoid.

The separation can be made, for instance, by encapsulating α-rhamnosidase by means known in the art. Thus, the enzyme may be encapsulated such that it is only released under gastro-intestinal tract conditions.

Alternatively, by encapsulating the α-rhamnosidase in a micro-organism capable of releasing α-rhamnosidase, the α-rhamnosidase is not in direct contact with the flavonoid in the composition. Such “bio-encapsulation” may be achieved by an α-rhamnosidase producing strain of a micro-organism which is kept under conditions (water activity etc.) such that the micro-organism presents a low or zero metabolic rate. The conditions (water activity etc.) in the composition are therefore such that the micro-organism is not releasing the enzyme under these conditions. The α-rhamnosidase is “bio-encapsulated” within or on the outside of the cell walls of the micro-organism.

Thus, in the present invention, by “α-rhamnosidase in a state in which it is essentially not able to cleave the rhamnose moiety of the rhamnose-containing flavonoid” is meant any form of the enzyme as described above.

When an α-rhamnosidase-producing micro-organism is used in the compositions or the methods of the present invention, it is preferably a bacterium. More preferably, the micro-organism is selected from Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Streptococcus, Lactococcus, Enterococcus, Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Leuconostoc, Pediococcus, Oenococcus etc.

Most preferably, the micro-organism is selected from Lactobacillus crispatus (ATCC 33820), Lactobacillus crispatus (CNCM I-3654), Lactobacillus plantarum (ATCC 8014), Lactobacillus plantarum (CNCM I-3653), Lactobacillus gasseri (CNCM I-3795) or mixtures thereof.

Thus, a micro-organism having α-rhamnosidase activity selected from Lactobacillus crispatus (ATCC 33820), Lactobacillus crispatus (CNCM I-3654), Lactobacillus plantarum (ATCC 8014), Lactobacillus plantarum (CNCM I-3653) or Lactobacillus gasseri (CNCM I-3795) is part of the present invention.

The micro-organism is preferably present in the compositions of the invention in an amount of 10⁶-10¹⁰ cfu/g. More preferably it is present in an amount of 10⁹ cfu/g.

The micro-organism capable of producing α-rhamnosidase may further be encapsulated. Encapsulation of micro-organisms is a method well-known to the person of skill in the art.

The flavonoids used in the present invention may be selected from any flavonoid comprising a rhamnose moiety. Any such rhamnose-containing flavonoid may be selected from the group consisting of hesperidin, rutin, eriotricin, naringin, neohesperidin, diosmin, linarin, poncirin, prunin, etc. and any possible combination from this list comprising two or more components from the list. Preferably, the flavonoid is hesperidin (FIG. 1a).

Hesperidin (FIG. 1a) comprises a rutinose (rhamnose-glucose) moiety. In the presence of an active α-rhamnosidase enzyme, the rhamnose moiety of hesperidin may be cleaved off to a certain extent to yield hesperetin-7-glucoside (FIG. 1b). In turn, hesperetin-7-glucoside may be further cleaved by other enzymes, e.g. glucosidase enzymes which are present in the gastro-intestinal tract, to give hesperetin (FIG. 1c).

Referring to FIG. 2, it can be seen that, on one hand, the plasma level of hesperetin (FIG. 1c) upon ingestion of hesperetin-7-glucose (FIG. 1b) shows a sharp peak shortly after ingestion. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is thought that this is due to the presence of enzymes which are able to cleave the glucose moiety off, such that hesperetin is readily absorbable.

On the other hand, the hesperetin plasma level resulting from the ingestion of hesperidin (FIG. 1a) appears only later and to a smaller extent. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is thought that this is due to the presence of enzymes able to cleave the rutinose moiety of hesperidin only at a later stage of passage through the gastro-intestinal tract.

Thus, the compositions of the present invention advantageously provide a plasma level of hesperetin which is sustained over a longer period of time (cf. FIG. 2).

Further, according to another embodiment of the present invention, such a sustained plasma level of hesperetin is also provided by compositions comprising a mix of hesperidin (FIG. 1a) and hesperetin-7-glucoside (FIG. 1b). Preferably, these are present in the compositions in a ratio of hesperidin to hesperetin-7-glucoside of between 70/30 to 50/50.

The amount of flavonoid in the compositions of the present invention is such that it corresponds to an amount ranging from 0.01 mg to 1 g of the aglycone equivalent of the flavonoid compound. Preferably, the flavonoid is present in an amount ranging from 10 mg to 800 mg of the aglycone equivalent of the flavonoid compound.

For instance, when hesperidin (FIG. 1a) is used in a composition of the present invention, it is present in an amount which will provide 0.01 mg to 1 g, preferably 10 mg to 800 mg of the corresponding hesperetin (FIG. 1c). This is easily calculated by a man of skill in the art.

In the compositions of the present invention, the α-rhamnosidase may be present in an amount sufficient to provide between 10-50% of the flavonoid aglycone or of a form of glycosylated flavanoid which is absorbable at the early stages of digestion.

For instance, in the case where the flavanoid is hesperidin, the amount of α-rhamnosidase used is an amount sufficient to provide between 10-50% of hesperetin 7-glucoside (FIG. 1b) or hesperetin (FIG. 1c) in the upper gastro-intestinal tract (small intestine). This can be easily assessed by methods known in the art, such as experiments with TIM-1 of TNO and in vivo confirmation (cf. FIGS. 8 and 9).

The compositions of the present invention are preferably formulated for use as nutritional, pharmaceutical or cosmetic compositions.

Therefore, the compositions of the present invention may be dry, moist, or semi-moist compositions. By “dry”, is meant compositions having a water activity below 0.6. By “semi-moist” is meant compositions having a water activity between 0.6 and 0.9 and by “moist” is meant composition having a water activity above 0.9.

They may be selected from liquid, dry or semi-dry compositions such as solutions, sprays, powders, tablets, capsules, yoghurt, biscuit, milk, beverages, chocolate, ice cream, breakfast cereal flakes or bars, milk powders, soy-based products, non-milk fermented products, nutritional supplements, food supplement, pet food, infant formula etc.

For ingestion, many embodiments of oral compositions and in particular of food supplements are possible. They are formulated by means of the usual methods for producing sugar-coated tablets, gelatine capsules, gels, emulsions, tablets, capsules or solutions. In particular, the rhamnose-containing flavonoids and the α-rhamnosidase or, in a different embodiment, the hesperidin and hesperetin-7-glucoside may be incorporated into any other forms of food supplements or of enriched foods, for example food bars, or compacted or non-compacted powders. The powders can be diluted with water, in a fizzy drink, dairy products or soya-derived products or can be incorporated into food bars.

The compositions may comprise the usual excipients and constituents, e.g. fatty and/or aqueous constituents, humectifying agents, thickeners, preserving agents, texturing, flavouring and/or coating agents, antioxidants, dyes that are usual in the food domain.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, α-rhamnosidase may be used in the preparation of a composition comprising at least one rhamnose-containing flavonoid and wherein the α-rhamnosidase is in a state in which it is essentially not able to cleave the rhamnose moiety of said flavonoid, for improving the bioefficacy and/or bioavailability of said flavonoid. By “composition” is covered any composition according to the invention as described above.

Bioefficacy is defined as the proportion of the ingested nutrient converted to an active form of the nutrient having significant biological effect. It is closely related to bioavailability which is defined as the degree to which a substance is absorbed into the systemic circulation. By improving the bioefficacy and/or bioavailability of a flavonoid, the present invention offers the advantage of a more effective composition with more durable and sustained effects.

Thus, the present invention also provides a method for sustaining and/or improving the bioavailability of rhamnose-containing flavonoids comprising the step of providing a composition comprising at least one rhamnose-containing flavonoid and α-rhamnosidase, said α-rhamnosidase being in a state in which it is essentially not able to cleave the rhamnose moiety of said flavonoid.

A comparison of the plasma levels after ingestion of hesperidin (FIG. 1a) or after ingestion of hesperetin-7-glucoside (FIG. 1c) shows a noticeable difference to the compositions of the present invention. Indeed, after the ingestion of the compositions of the present invention, the hesperetin plasma levels are maintained for a sustained period of time (FIG. 2).

Thus, the present invention further encompasses a method for prolonging the plasma levels of metabolites of rhamnose-containing flavonoids after ingestion of said flavonoid comprising the step of orally providing a composition comprising at least one rhamnose-containing flavonoid and α-rhamnosidase, said α-rhamnosidase being in a state in which it is essentially not able to cleave the rhamnose moiety of said flavonoid.

In the methods of the present invention, the α-rhamnosidase may be provided separately from the composition comprising the rhamnose-containing flavonoid. For example, said α-rhamnosidase may be provided as a tablet, capsule etc. to be ingested at the same time as the composition comprising the flavonoid. Alternatively, it may be provided, for example, as a powder to be sprinkled onto the flavonoid-containing composition. The skilled person could readily envisage a variety of different alternatives to the specific embodiments mentioned herein.

Under another aspect, the compositions according to the present invention may be used cosmetically. By “cosmetic use” is meant a non-therapeutic use which may improve the aesthetic aspect or comfort of the skin, coat and/or hair of humans or pets.

In this context, the cosmetic use may include preventing damages to, and/or improving the skin, coat and/or hair of humans or pets. Such damages include in particular actinic and ageing damages of the skin such as dryness, irregular pigmentation (notably freckling, lentigines, guttate hypomelanosis and persistent hyperpigmentation), wrinkling (notably fine surface lines and deep furrows), stellate pseudoscars, elastosis, inelasticity, telangiectasia, venous lakes, comedones, sebaceous hyperplasia, acrochordon and seborrhea keratosis.

The cosmetic use may also have particular benefits on hair and coat, such as an improved hair or coat density, fibre diameter, colour, oiliness, glossiness, sebum production and may help to prevent hair or coat loss.

The present invention further encompasses therapeutic uses such as dermatological uses for instance. Indeed, the use of α-rhamnosidase and at least one rhamnose-containing flavonoid, wherein the α-rhamnosidase is in a state in which it is essentially not able to cleave said flavonoid, in the manufacture of compositions for the improvement of skin health, falls under another aspect of the invention. Said compositions may also be used for the prevention of inflammation or for the improvement of bone and/or cardiovascular health. By “composition” is covered any composition according to the invention as described above.

Under this embodiment, the compositions according to the present invention may be utilised for treating and/or preventing damages of the skin which are, for example, produced by a stress situation e.g. by means of a chemical, biological or a physical stress, e.g. by exposure to oxidants or carcinogens, exposure to bacteria, viruses, fungi, lipids derived from surrounding cells and/or microbes, or exposure to UV-irradiation.

These damages further comprise actinic keratoses, purpura, cherry angiodema, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, skin burning and/or blistering, epidermal hyperplasia, inflammation, immune suppression, and cancer, e.g. non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancers.

The effect of the compositions according to the present invention, on skin of humans or pets, can be measured by using conventional methods including minimal erythemal dose (MED), colorimetry, transepidermal water loss, DNA repair, measure of interleukins and proteoglycans production, or collagenase activity, barrier function or cell renewal.

Consequently, a method for improving skin health comprising the step of orally administering a composition comprising at least one rhamnose-containing flavonoid and α-rhamnosidase, or orally administering separately and simultaneously a composition comprising at least one rhamnose-containing flavonoid and α-rhamnosidase, said α-rhamnosidase being in a state in which it is essentially not able to cleave the rhamnose moiety of said flavonoid, also falls under an aspect of the present invention. This method is also useful in improving cardiovascular and bone health.

It will be understood that the concept of the present invention may likewise be applied as an adjuvant therapy assisting in presently used medications. Since the compositions of the present invention may easily be orally administered with food material, special clinical food may be administered containing a high amount of the objective substances.

Furthermore, the concept of the present invention may likewise be extended to topical applications of compositions comprising a rhamnose-containing flavonoid and an alpha-rhamnosidase enzyme.

The present invention is further illustrated by means of the non-limiting examples described below.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

Materials

Hesperidinase “Amano” Conc. (A.MANO PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD.)

Cleavage of Hesperidin by Bacterial Crude Extracts In Vitro

To test if the bacterial alpha-rhamnosidases can recognise and cleave hesperidin as a substrate, the crude extracts of the cells grown in the presence of rhamnose are incubated with hesperidin at pH 4 and pH 6 for 4 hours and 8 hours and the analysis is done by HPLC. The results are presented in the table below as a percentage of hesperidin or its derivatives based on the total hesperidin amounts at the beginning of the reaction (0.08 mg/mL). The tests were performed with 0.08 mg hesperidin/mL, which is an approximate concentration of hesperidin aimed for the final product and crude extracts of 3×10⁹ bacteria/mL.

The results show that the two strains have both α-rhamnosidase and β-glucosidase activity and as a consequence cleave hesperidin into hesperetin-7-glucoside and aglycone to different extents, depending on the reaction conditions. The results suggest that bacteria can be used for partial hesperidin transformation into hesperetin-7-glucoside and aglycone in situ.

			Hesperetin-
			7-
	Bacterial	Hesperidin	glucoside	aglycone
%		counts	4 h	8 h	4 h	8 h	4 h	8 h
Control (−)	pH 4	—	nd	95	nd	0	nd	0
(no enzyme)	pH 6		nd	95	nd	0	nd	0
Control (+)	pH 4	—	0	0	92	93	0	0
pH4	pH 6		66	49	25	40	0	0
(hes-
peredinase)
pH6
L.	pH 4	3.4 × 109/ml	18	5	28	18	26	42
acidophilus	pH 6		26	10	6	5	13	27
NCC 3010
L. plantarum	pH 4	3.4 × 109/ml	12	8	5	4	62	66
NCC1313	pH 6		9	0	5	0	25	33
Nd: not determined

Example 2

0.2 to 50 mg of hesperidin/g of product is mixed with 10⁷-10¹⁰ cfu/(g of product) of alpha-rhamnosidase active bacteria. The resulting mixture is blended with a suitable carrier. Carriers may be selected from fermented milk, yogurt, fresh cheese, renneted milk, confectionery bar, breakfast cereal flakes or bars, drink, milk powder, soy-based product, non-milk fermented product.

Claims

1. Composition comprising at least one rhamnose-containing flavonoid and α-rhamnosidase.

2. Composition according to claim 1, wherein the α-rhamnosidase is in a state in which it is essentially not able to cleave the rhamnose moiety of said flavanoid.

3. Composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the α-rhamnosidase is not in direct contact with the flavonoid.

4. Composition according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the α-rhamnosidase is encapsulated.

5. Composition according to claim 4, wherein the α-rhamnosidase is encapsulated in a micro-organism capable of producing α-rhamnosidase.

6. Composition according to claim 5, wherein the micro-organism is a bacterium.

7. Composition according to claim 6, wherein the micro-organism is selected from Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Streptococcus, Lactococcus, Enterococcus, Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Leuconostoc, Pediococcus, Oenococcus etc.

8. Composition according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the micro-organism is selected from Lactobacillus crispatus ATCC33820, Lactobacillus crispatus CNCM I-3654, Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC8014, Lactobacillus plantarum CNCM I-3653, Lactobacillus gasseri CNCM I-3795 or mixtures thereof.

9. Composition according to any of claims 5 to 8, wherein the micro-organism is present in an amount of 106-1010 cfu/g.

10. Composition according to any of claims 5 to 9, wherein the micro-organism capable of producing α-rhamnosidase is encapsulated.

11. Composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the flavonoid is hesperidin.

12. Composition according to claim 11, wherein the α-rhamnosidase is present in an amount sufficient to provide between 10-50% of hesperetin 7-glucoside or hesperetin in the upper gastro-intestinal tract.

13. Composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the rhamnose-containing flavonoid is present in an amount corresponding to 0.01 mg to 1 g of the aglycone equivalent of the flavonoid compound.

14. Composition according to claim 13, wherein the rhamnose-containing flavonoid is present in an amount corresponding to 10 mg to 800 mg of the aglycone equivalent of the flavonoid compound.

15. Composition according to any of the preceding claims, which is formulated for use as a nutritional, pharmaceutical or cosmetic composition.

16. Composition according to any of the preceding claims, which is selected from liquid, dry or semi-dry compositions such as solutions, sprays, powders, tablets, capsules, yoghurt, biscuit, milk, beverages, chocolate, ice cream, breakfast cereal flakes or bars, milk powders, soy-based products, non-milk fermented products, nutritional supplements, food supplement, pet food, infant formula etc.

17. Composition comprising at least one rhamnose-containing flavonoid and α-rhamnosidase for use in improving the bioefficacy and/or bioavailability of said flavonoid.

18. Composition comprising at least one rhamnose-containing flavonoid and α-rhamnosidase for use in improving skin health.

19. Bacterium having α-rhamnosidase activity which is selected from Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus acidophilus or Leuconostoc mesenteroides.

20. Bacterium according to claim 19, which is Lactobacillus crispatus ATCC 33820, Lactobacillus crispatus CNCM I-3654, Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 8014, Lactobacillus plantarum CNCM I-3653 or Lactobacillus gasseri CNCM I-3795.

21. Use of α-rhamnosidase in the preparation of a composition comprising at least one rhamnose-containing flavonoid for improving the bioefficacy and/or bioavailability of said flavonoid.

22. Use of α-rhamnosidase and at least one rhamnose-containing flavonoid in the manufacture of a composition for the improvement of skin health.

23. Use according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the α-rhamnosidase is in a state in which it is essentially not able to cleave the rhamnose moiety of said flavonoid.

24. Use according to claims 21 to 23, wherein the α-rhamnosidase is not in direct contact with the flavonoid.

25. Use according to claim 24, wherein the α-rhamnosidase is encapsulated.

26. Use according to claim 25, wherein the α-rhamnosidase is encapsulated in a micro-organism capable of producing α-rhamnosidase.

27. Use according to claim 26, wherein the micro-organism is a bacterium.

28. Use according to claim 27, wherein the micro-organism is selected from Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Streptococcus, Lactococcus, Enterococcus, Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Leuconostoc, Pediococcus, Oenococcus etc.

29. Use according to any of claims 26 to 28, wherein the micro-organism is selected from Lactobacillus crispatus ATCC33820, Lactobacillus crispatus CNCM I-3654, Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC8014, Lactobacillus plantarum CNCM I-3653, Lactobacillus gasseri CNCM I-3795 or mixtures thereof.

30. Use according to any of claims 26 to 29, wherein the micro-organism is present in an amount of 106-1010 cfu/g.

31. Use according to any of claims 26 to 30, wherein the micro-organism capable of producing α-rhamnosidase is encapsulated.

32. Use according to any of the claims 26 to 31, wherein the flavonoid is hesperidin.

33. Use according to claim 32, wherein the α-rhamnosidase is present in an amount sufficient to provide between 10-50% of hesperetin 7-glucoside or hesperetin in the upper gastro-intestinal tract.

34. Use according to any of claims 23 to 33, wherein the rhamnose-containing flavonoid is present in an amount corresponding to 0.01 mg to 1 g of the aglycone equivalent of the flavonoid compound.

35. Use according to claim 34, wherein the rhamnose-containing flavonoid is present in an amount corresponding to 10 mg to 800 mg of the aglycone equivalent of the flavonoid compound.

36. Use according to any of claims 23 to 35, wherein the composition is in the form of yoghurt, biscuit, milk, beverages, chocolate, ice cream, breakfast cereal flakes or bars, milk powders, soy-based products, non-milk fermented products or nutritional supplements, food supplement, pet food, infant formula etc.

37. Cosmetic use of a composition according to any of claims 1 to 16.

38. Use according to claim 37, for preventing damages to, and/or improving the skin, coat and/or hair of humans or pets.

39. Method for sustaining and/or improving the bioavailability of rhamnose-containing flavonoids comprising the step of providing a composition comprising at least one rhamnose-containing flavonoid and α-rhamnosidase.

40. Method for prolonging the plasma levels of metabolites of rhamnose-containing flavonoids after ingestion of said flavonoid comprising the step of orally providing a composition comprising at least one rhamnose-containing flavonoid and α-rhamnosidase.

41. Method according to any of claims 39 or 40, wherein said α-rhamnosidase is in a state in which it is essentially not able to cleave the rhamnose moiety of said flavonoid.

42. Method according to claims 39 to 41, wherein the α-rhamnosidase is not in direct contact with the flavonoid.

43. Method according to claim 42, wherein the α-rhamnosidase is provided separately from the composition comprising the rhamnose-containing flavonoid.

44. Method according to claim 43, wherein the α-rhamnosidase is encapsulated.

45. Method according to claim 44, wherein the α-rhamnosidase is encapsulated in a micro-organism capable of producing α-rhamnosidase.

46. Method according to claim 45, wherein the micro-organism is a bacterium.

47. Method according to claim 46, wherein the micro-organism is selected from Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Streptococcus, Lactococcus, Enterococcus, Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Leuconostoc, Pediococcus, Oenococcus etc.

48. Method according to any of claims 45 to 47, wherein the micro-organism is selected from Lactobacillus crispatus ATCC 33820, Lactobacillus crispatus CNCM I-3654, Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 8014, Lactobacillus plantarum CNCM I-3653, Lactobacillus gasseri CNCM I-3795 or mixtures thereof.

49. Method according to any of claims 45 to 48, wherein the micro-organism is present in an amount of 106-1010 cfu/g.

50. Method according to any of claims 45 to 49, wherein the micro-organism capable of producing α-rhamnosidase is encapsulated.

51. Method according to any of the claims 39 to 50, wherein the flavonoid is hesperidin.

52. Method according to claim 51, wherein the α-rhamnosidase is present in an amount sufficient to provide between 10-50% of hesperetin 7-glucoside or hesperetin in the upper gastro-intestinal tract.

53. Method according to any of claims 41 to 52, wherein the rhamnose-containing flavonoid is present in an amount corresponding to 0.01 mg to 1 g, preferably corresponding to 10 mg to 800 mg of the aglycone equivalent of the flavonoid compound.

54. Method for improving skin health comprising the step of administering a composition comprising at least one rhamnose-containing flavonoid and α-rhamnosidase, or administering separately and simultaneously a composition comprising at least one rhamnose-containing flavonoid and α-rhamnosidase, said α-rhamnosidase being in a state in which it is essentially not able to cleave the rhamnose moiety of said flavonoid.

55. Composition comprising a mix of hesperidin and hesperetin-7-glucoside.

56. Composition according to claim 55, wherein the hesperidin and hesperetin-7-glucoside are present in the composition in a ratio of between 70/30 to 50/50.