Evaluation
of the health related effects of beer intake is hampered
by the lack of accurate tools for assessing intakes (biomarkers).
Therefore, we identified plasma and urine metabolites associated with
recent beer intake by untargeted metabolomics and established a characteristic
metabolite pattern representing raw materials and beer production
as a qualitative biomarker of beer intake. In a randomized, crossover,
single-blinded meal study (MSt1), 18 participants were given, one
at a time, four different test beverages: strong, regular, and nonalcoholic
beers and a soft drink. Four participants were assigned to have two
additional beers (MSt2). In addition to plasma and urine samples,
test beverages, wort, and hops extract were analyzed by UPLC-QTOF.
A unique metabolite pattern reflecting beer metabolome, including
metabolites derived from beer raw material (i.e., N-methyl tyramine sulfate and the sum of iso-α-acids and tricyclohumols)
and the production process (i.e., pyro-glutamyl proline and 2-ethyl
malate), was selected to establish a compliance biomarker model for
detection of beer intake based on MSt1. The model predicted the MSt2
samples collected before and up to 12 h after beer intake correctly
(AUC = 1). A biomarker model including four metabolites representing
both beer raw materials and production steps provided a specific and
accurate tool for measurement of beer consumption.