Abstract
The current perspective presents an outlook on developing gut-like bioreactors with immobilized probiotic bacteria using cellulose hydrogels. The innovative concept of using hydrogels to simulate the human gut environment by generating and maintaining pH and oxygen gradients in the gut-like bioreactors is discussed. Fundamentally, this approach presents novel methods of production as well as delivery of multiple strains of probiotics using bioreactors. The relevant existing synthesis methods of cellulose hydrogels are discussed for producing porous hydrogels. Harvesting methods of multiple strains are discussed in the context of encapsulation of probiotic bacteria immobilized on cellulose hydrogels. Furthermore, we also discuss recent advances in using cellulose hydrogels for encapsulation of probiotic bacteria. This perspective also highlights the mechanism of probiotic protection by cellulose hydrogels. Such novel gut-like hydrogel bioreactors will have the potential to simulate the human gut ecosystem in the laboratory and stimulate new research on gut microbiota.
Highlights
The microbial ecosystem present in the human gut significantly affects the health of the human host.[1]
The universally accepted narrative of probiotics given by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)[2] of the United Nations states that “probiotics are live microorganisms, which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host”
We present the ideas and rationale behind the proposed reactor using cellulose hydrogels and how it is beneficial to produce multiple strains of probiotic bacteria in a single bioreactor and for encapsulation and controlled delivery
Summary
The microbial ecosystem present in the human gut significantly affects the health of the human host.[1]. When the porosity and pH responsiveness of the hydrogels are tuned, the controlled release of individual bacteria in the region of the gut favorable for the respective probiotic bacteria can be achieved Fermentation strategies, such as immobilized cellulosehydrogel-based bioreactors, are highly suitable and promising to produce multiple probiotic strains. This is primarily due to the fact that bacterial cells produced through the process of immobilization vary greatly in terms of physiology, morphology, and growth characteristics.[90] Future research should be directed toward efficient immobilization support for large-scale production of food items, such as yogurt, milk solids, and cornflakes.[91] This perspective proposes the concept of designing nextgeneration bioreactors with the central idea of applying cellulose hydrogels for efficient production of multiple probiotic strains using a conventional laboratory-scale fermenter. Srinivas Mettu, conceptualization, funding acquisition, methodology, writing the original draft, and visualization; Zubeen Hathi, writing the original draft and visualization; Sandya Athukoralalage, writing the original draft and visualization; Anshu Priya, writing the original draft and visualization; Tsz Nok Lam, writing review and editing; Khai Lun Ong, writing review and editing; Namita Roy Choudhury, writing review and editing; Naba Kumar Dutta, writing review and editing; Rodrigo Curvello, writing review and editing; Gil Garnier, writing review and editing; and Carol Sze Ki Lin, project administration, funding acquisition, writing review and editing, and supervision
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