Projects - Y (Yi) Liu MSc

The crucial relationship between gut microbiota and human health is increasingly recognized. Any disturbance in the crosstalk between host and gut microbiota can have serious effects on health. To mediate the abundance of selected species and stimulate the production of beneficial postbiotics, the use of prebiotics is proposed, which are defined as bioactive compounds selectively utilized by gut microbes conferring a health benefit.

Existing colon-targeted delivery routes such as rectal administration, are partially invasive and may have patient compliance issues. Therefore, alternative delivery routes are in high demand and oral administration is a potentially milder way for such delivery. Yet, the activity of certain prebiotics, such as tryptophan, is known to reduce inevitably in the upper gastro-intestinal tract due to intestinal digestion and absorption. Therefore, they need to be protected from the physiological conditions of the stomach and small intestine. A number of food-grade biopolymers such as alginate and chitosan can be used to create stimuli-responsive hydrogel microcapsules for the controlled release of prebiotics.