Modulatory Effects of <i>Tetraselmis chuii</i> Gastrointestinal Digests on Human Colonic Microbiota

<i>Tetraselmis chuii</i> is a microalga commercialized because of its richness in health-beneficial molecules. Previous studies have profusely demonstrated the biological properties of compounds isolated from <i>T. chuii</i>, but data are not yet available on the impact that...

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Main Authors: Marta Majchrzak, Samuel Paterson, Javier Gutiérrez-Corral, Dulcenombre Gómez-Garre, Adriana Ortega-Hernández, Miguel Ángel de la Fuente, Blanca Hernández-Ledesma, Pilar Gómez-Cortés
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Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Foods
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/12/2106
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author Marta Majchrzak
Samuel Paterson
Javier Gutiérrez-Corral
Dulcenombre Gómez-Garre
Adriana Ortega-Hernández
Miguel Ángel de la Fuente
Blanca Hernández-Ledesma
Pilar Gómez-Cortés
author_facet Marta Majchrzak
Samuel Paterson
Javier Gutiérrez-Corral
Dulcenombre Gómez-Garre
Adriana Ortega-Hernández
Miguel Ángel de la Fuente
Blanca Hernández-Ledesma
Pilar Gómez-Cortés
author_sort Marta Majchrzak
collection DOAJ
description <i>Tetraselmis chuii</i> is a microalga commercialized because of its richness in health-beneficial molecules. Previous studies have profusely demonstrated the biological properties of compounds isolated from <i>T. chuii</i>, but data are not yet available on the impact that gastrointestinal digestion could exert. This article describes the passage of <i>T. chuii</i> through the gastrointestinal tract, combining the INFOGEST procedure and in vitro colonic fermentation to examine potential effects on the human colonic microflora composition and its metabolic activity. Microbial plate counting was conducted to determine the different groups of microorganisms. Amplification of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene was performed via polymerase chain reaction to examine in detail the main genera of bacteria, and its metabolic activity was evaluated by measuring of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) by gas chromatography. The presence of <i>T. chuii</i> modified the fecal microbiota. Although the evolution of lactic acid bacteria and <i>Enterococcus</i> spp. content during 72 h showed that the use of <i>T. chuii,</i> compared to fructopolysaccharides such as inulin, would not provide nutritional advantages, the microalgae extract contributed to a significant decrease in <i>Clostridium, Staphylococcus,</i> and <i>Enterobacteriaceae</i>. Furthermore, <i>T. chuii</i> increased the relative abundance of <i>Akkermansia</i> and <i>Butyricimonas</i>, genera considered highly beneficial. In correlation with the presence of these microorganisms, the results show that the presence of <i>T. chuii</i> favored the release of SCFA, such as acetic (20 mM), propionic (>5 mM), isovaleric (0.3 mM), isobutyric (0.15 mM), and, mainly, butyric (>2 mM), after 72 h colonic fermentation, being indicators of gut health. These findings suggest that <i>T. chuii</i> has potential as a functional ingredient for promoting health through its modulatory effects on the intestinal microbiota.
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spelling doaj-art-947ee53bb4c34d559793bcacec93de882025-08-20T03:26:52ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-06-011412210610.3390/foods14122106Modulatory Effects of <i>Tetraselmis chuii</i> Gastrointestinal Digests on Human Colonic MicrobiotaMarta Majchrzak0Samuel Paterson1Javier Gutiérrez-Corral2Dulcenombre Gómez-Garre3Adriana Ortega-Hernández4Miguel Ángel de la Fuente5Blanca Hernández-Ledesma6Pilar Gómez-Cortés7Institute of Food Science Research (CIAL, CSIC-UAM), Nicolás Cabrera 9, 28049 Madrid, SpainInstitute of Food Science Research (CIAL, CSIC-UAM), Nicolás Cabrera 9, 28049 Madrid, SpainLaboratory of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Clínico San Carlos-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria San Carlos (IdISSC), C/Prof. Martín Lagos, 28040 Madrid, SpainMicrobiota and Vascular Biology Laboratory, Hospital Clínico San Carlos-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria San Carlos (IdISSC), C/Prof. Martín Lagos, 28040 Madrid, SpainMicrobiota and Vascular Biology Laboratory, Hospital Clínico San Carlos-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria San Carlos (IdISSC), C/Prof. Martín Lagos, 28040 Madrid, SpainInstitute of Food Science Research (CIAL, CSIC-UAM), Nicolás Cabrera 9, 28049 Madrid, SpainInstitute of Food Science Research (CIAL, CSIC-UAM), Nicolás Cabrera 9, 28049 Madrid, SpainInstitute of Food Science Research (CIAL, CSIC-UAM), Nicolás Cabrera 9, 28049 Madrid, Spain<i>Tetraselmis chuii</i> is a microalga commercialized because of its richness in health-beneficial molecules. Previous studies have profusely demonstrated the biological properties of compounds isolated from <i>T. chuii</i>, but data are not yet available on the impact that gastrointestinal digestion could exert. This article describes the passage of <i>T. chuii</i> through the gastrointestinal tract, combining the INFOGEST procedure and in vitro colonic fermentation to examine potential effects on the human colonic microflora composition and its metabolic activity. Microbial plate counting was conducted to determine the different groups of microorganisms. Amplification of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene was performed via polymerase chain reaction to examine in detail the main genera of bacteria, and its metabolic activity was evaluated by measuring of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) by gas chromatography. The presence of <i>T. chuii</i> modified the fecal microbiota. Although the evolution of lactic acid bacteria and <i>Enterococcus</i> spp. content during 72 h showed that the use of <i>T. chuii,</i> compared to fructopolysaccharides such as inulin, would not provide nutritional advantages, the microalgae extract contributed to a significant decrease in <i>Clostridium, Staphylococcus,</i> and <i>Enterobacteriaceae</i>. Furthermore, <i>T. chuii</i> increased the relative abundance of <i>Akkermansia</i> and <i>Butyricimonas</i>, genera considered highly beneficial. In correlation with the presence of these microorganisms, the results show that the presence of <i>T. chuii</i> favored the release of SCFA, such as acetic (20 mM), propionic (>5 mM), isovaleric (0.3 mM), isobutyric (0.15 mM), and, mainly, butyric (>2 mM), after 72 h colonic fermentation, being indicators of gut health. These findings suggest that <i>T. chuii</i> has potential as a functional ingredient for promoting health through its modulatory effects on the intestinal microbiota.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/12/2106<i>Tetraselmis chuii</i>microalgaein vitro digestioncolonic fermentationbutyric acidmicroflora
spellingShingle Marta Majchrzak
Samuel Paterson
Javier Gutiérrez-Corral
Dulcenombre Gómez-Garre
Adriana Ortega-Hernández
Miguel Ángel de la Fuente
Blanca Hernández-Ledesma
Pilar Gómez-Cortés
Modulatory Effects of <i>Tetraselmis chuii</i> Gastrointestinal Digests on Human Colonic Microbiota
Foods
<i>Tetraselmis chuii</i>
microalgae
in vitro digestion
colonic fermentation
butyric acid
microflora
title Modulatory Effects of <i>Tetraselmis chuii</i> Gastrointestinal Digests on Human Colonic Microbiota
title_full Modulatory Effects of <i>Tetraselmis chuii</i> Gastrointestinal Digests on Human Colonic Microbiota
title_fullStr Modulatory Effects of <i>Tetraselmis chuii</i> Gastrointestinal Digests on Human Colonic Microbiota
title_full_unstemmed Modulatory Effects of <i>Tetraselmis chuii</i> Gastrointestinal Digests on Human Colonic Microbiota
title_short Modulatory Effects of <i>Tetraselmis chuii</i> Gastrointestinal Digests on Human Colonic Microbiota
title_sort modulatory effects of i tetraselmis chuii i gastrointestinal digests on human colonic microbiota
topic <i>Tetraselmis chuii</i>
microalgae
in vitro digestion
colonic fermentation
butyric acid
microflora
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/12/2106
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