In vitro modelling of colonic fermentation

Identifier:  TFG:2948

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TFG2948

Authors:  Samarra Mas, Anna

Abstract:
The in vitro gut models have proved to be useful to study the effects of food, probiotics and pharmaceutical components on gut microbiota composition. In vitro models vary from simple batch fermenters using anaerobic conditions to more complex dynamic multi-vessel bioreactors. Their common purpose is to cultivate a complex intestinal microbiota under controlled environmental conditions for carrying out microbial modulation and metabolism studies. The appropriate selection of the model depends on the objective of the research and the advantages and limitations of each model. In this thesis there is presented the main types of in vitro systems used nowadays to simulate the colon fermentation, as well as a research on previous designed models to summarize the best conditions to mimic the gut environment. Moreover, Minifors 2 (Infors HT) bioreactor is used to study the microbial dynamics of one single strain of Lactobacillus. The biomass generated was tested after the process of lyophilization and the storage in both room temperature and in the refrigerator, and it survived successfully. Apart from that, this thesis includes the design of an in vitro model of colonic fermentation, based on a previous bibliographic research, and its establishment using a complex microbiota representation from human fecal samples. There is characterized the presence of Enterobacteriaceae, Clostridium and Lactobacilli species This model will be appropriate for further studies on the effects of any bioactive compound, such as polyphenols, in the gut microbiome.