| abstract |
Compounds isolated from plant materials of the genus Vaccinium, which have biological activity measurable as inhibition with adhesion of bacterial cells to surfaces, are described. The specific compounds include procyanidins, leucocyanin and leucodelphinin, and flavonol glucosides including myricetin-3-pyranoside. An exemplary procyanidin compound is a substituted epicatechin-catechin dimer or other polymer. Also described is an extract prepared from plants of the genus Vaccinium, especially cranberries, which is enriched for anti-adhesion activity. The extract is enriched for polyphenol and flavonoid compounds, lacks detectable amounts of simple sugars, has a very low content of benzoic acid relative to raw cranberries, and lacks significant amounts of anthocyanins. Methods for preparing and for using the extract are disclosed. |