Brightseed’s AI phytonutrient mapper uncovers 530 bioactive compounds in almonds

Brightseed, which specializes in AI to map specific plant compounds and identify their human health benefits, has announced a significant discovery in almonds — the identification of 530 health-promoting phytochemical compounds, four times more than previously documented.

Among these, 17 were identified as bioactive compounds that have biological health effects, with six reported in almonds for the first time. The compounds, including metabolites and lipids, are natural plant chemicals backed by scientific literature demonstrating their benefits for brain, cellular, gut, metabolic, and immune health.

The discovery was made using Brightseed’s proprietary AI platform, Forager, and announced in a partnership with the Almond Board of California. The study findings, published in Food Chemistry, also reveal the influence of processing techniques, like pasteurization, on almonds’ nutritional profile.

“These findings deepen our understanding of almonds’ nutritional value and health benefits and further validate the inclusion of almonds in healthy dietary patterns,” says Elena Hemler, associate director of nutrition research at Almond Board of California.

“This study underscores the power of leveraging emerging metabolomic and AI tools to uncover new insights across health and nutrition.”

Growing body of almond research

More than 200 peer-reviewed studies over the past 30 years have explored the connections between almond consumption and health in areas such as heart health, blood glucose regulation, and weight management.

Brightseed’s Forager platform accelerates bioactive discovery, biological validation, and ingredient formulation “from years to months.”However, in spite of these diverse research efforts, the researchers say almonds’ molecular composition has remained “relatively uncharted territory.”

Brightseed’s Forager platform accelerates bioactive discovery, biological validation, and ingredient formulation “from years to months,” rapidly revealing new connections between nature and human health.

Brightseed also produces clinically proven bioactives for dietary supplements, food and beverage CPG, specialty nutrition, and medical foods to power proactive health worldwide.

In the study, the researchers leveraged Forager’s liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry technology, the world’s largest library of plant natural products, and an “expert-curated” human health model based on peer-reviewed literature on bioactive compounds and their health benefits.

They performed an extensive metabolomic analysis on three California almond varieties: Nonpareil, Independence, and Monterey. Their research confirms the widespread presence of health-promoting compounds in all examined almond varieties, endorsing their inclusion in diverse diets.

Affirming almonds’ importance

These results indicate that almonds can offer a range of specific health benefits that address various concerns from metabolic health to cognitive function, affirming their importance in health-conscious diets.

“As the field of metabolomics continues to evolve, it promises to unlock new insights into the intricate relationships between diet and health,” says Clay Bloszies, Ph.D., associate director, metabolomics, Brightseed. 

“With millions of bioactives yet to be discovered, our Forager AI platform is really just in the early days of illuminating powerful small molecules to elevate human health.”

Previously, Brightseed launched a gut barrier-boosting two-in-one bioactive developed with its AI-based small molecule discovery system. The company has forged industry partnerships, including for Blue Diamond’s almonds, Ocean Spray’s cranberries, and ADM’s gut synbiotic ingredients for the gut microbiome.