An In Vitro Pilot Fermentation Study on the Impact of Chlorella pyrenoidosa on Gut Microbiome Composition and Metabolites in Healthy and Coeliac Subjects

Abstract

The response of a coeliac and a healthy gut microbiota to the green algae Chlorella pyrenoidosa was evaluated using an in vitro continuous, pH controlled, gut model system, which simulated the human colon. The effect of C. pyrenoidosa on the microbial structure was determined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and inferred metagenomics, whereas the metabolic activitywas determined by1H-nuclear magnetic resonancespectroscopic analysis. The addition of C. pyrenoidosa significantly increased the abundance of the genera Prevotella, Ruminococcus and Faecalibacterium in the healthy donor, while an increase in Faecalibacterium, Bifidobacterium and Megasphaera and a decrease in Enterobacteriaceae were observed in the coeliac donor. C. pyrenoidosa also altered several microbial pathways including those involved in short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. At the metabolic level, a significant increase from baseline was seen in butyrate and propionate (p < 0.0001) in the healthy donor, especially in vessels 2 and 3. While acetate was significantly higher in the healthy donor at baseline in vessel 3 (p < 0.001) compared to the coeliac donor, this was markedly decreased after in vitro fermentation with C. pyrenoidosa. This is the first in vitro fermentation study of C. pyrenoidosa and human gut microbiota, however, further in vivo studies are needed to prove its efficacy.

Effects of Replacing Soybean Meal Protein with Chlorella vulgaris Powder on the Growth and Intestinal Health of Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

“…It was shown that the intestinal microbial intricacy and abundance were affected by the C. vulgaris powder replacement of the 50% soybean meal. The same observation could be seen in the study of Chlorella pyrenoidosa regarding the human colon [61]. LEfse showed that the Desulfobaccerota was remarkedly reduced in the X100 group.…”

The effect of Chlorella supplementation in pregnant women with low‐grade inflammation

“…Parity and a history of cesarean section have been associated with constipation (Baldassarre et al., 2019 ; Hannah et al., 2004 ; Marshall et al., 1998 ). The use of prebiotics and probiotics during pregnancy reportedly induces beneficial effects (Saurel‐Cubizolles et al., 2000 ; Van Der Linde et al., 2021 ). Prebiotics are fermented by gut bacteria, leading to the release of short‐chain fatty acids (Van Der Linde et al., 2021 ).…”

“…Chlorella species and Chlorella extracts have been reported to exert a variety of effects, including reducing inflammation and cholesterol levels, preventing stress‐induced ulcers, enhancing resistance to infection and antineoplastic activity, decreasing dioxins in breast milk, and reducing the risk of anemia, proteinuria, and edema in pregnant women. Chlorella is currently widely commercially available as a nutritional supplement and health food (Lv et al., 2022 ; Marik, 2012 ; Mizoguchi et al., 2008 ; Nakano et al., 2010 ; Van Der Linde et al., 2021 ).…”

Bioaccessibility and bioactivities of phenolic compounds from microalgae during in vitro digestion and colonic fermentation

“…13 Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are essential end-products of microbial fermentation that serve as an energy source for colonocytes and create an ideal colonic environment. 14…”

“…13 Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are essential end-products of microbial fermentation that serve as an energy source for colonocytes and create an ideal colonic environment. 14 Nonetheless, there is limited information regarding the bio-accessibility of microalgal phenolic compounds and their antioxidant activity. Therefore, this study was aimed at estimating the bio-accessibility of phenolic compounds from four species of microalgae (Chlorella sp., Spirulina sp., Dunaliella sp., and Isochrysis sp.)…”