Seaweed for gut health -nourishing body's natural immune system

Research Project, 2023 – 2026

This interdisciplinary collaborative research proposal will investigate the potential prebiotic effect of consumption of seaweed dietary fibers along with other beneficial compounds (amino acids, carotenoids, and polyphenols) on the human gut microbiota through in vitro fermentation studies. The specific objectives of the proposed work:

• To study the fermentation of seaweed fibers (commonly grown in Scandinavia) by the gut microbiota in a simulated human in vitro digestive environment loaded with isolated human gut microbes.

• To analyze the composition of the bioactive metabolites formed by the gut microbiota through fermentation of fibers, amino acids, carotenoids, and polyphenols present in seaweed.

• To assess the absorption or bioavailability of the active compounds/ metabolites formed during gut fermentation by the human body through simulated intestinal cell model (Caco-2 cells).

• To analyze the inhibitory effect of the active metabolites formed during fermentation on the food-borne pathogenic microbes.

• To investigate the potential release of toxic elements from seaweed matrix after fermenting by gut microbial isolates to ensure consumer food safety.

The results from this research will advance our understandings of how seaweed fibers along with other beneficial seaweed compounds such as polyphenols, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), carotenoids, and amino acids interaction with the gut microbiota to manipulate microbial com- position, and thereby how seaweed consumption can be used to promote and enhance overall human health through sustainable dietary intervention