Knowde Enhanced TDS
Identification & Functionality
- Food Ingredients Functions
- Pharma & Nutraceuticals Functions
Features & Benefits
- Benefit Claims (Health)
- Food Ingredients Features
- Product Highlights
EpitheFood™ and fermentation
The essence of EpitheFood™ are the SCFA’s & MCFAs. These fatty acids are typically produced in the colon by the enzymes of the microbiome starting from fibers. This is a fermentation process. Our ingredients Fibriotics™ and Berriotics™ are typically products which offer a big variety of microfibers which have an enormous amount of chain ends. The breakdown of the large fiber molecules of Fibriotics™ and Berriotics™ is obtained by a controlled in vitro fermentation of the native fibers. The enzymes of the microbiome which perform the transformation to fatty acids typically start from these ends. A big variety of fibers is important because there are so many different microorganisms in the microbiome which all have their dietary preferences. In some cases where the microbiome is out of balance, in other words where some bacteria dominate and sup- press others, the transformation of fibers is not optimal and the availability of SCFAs & MCFAs is too low. Offering SCFAs & MCFAs to the microbiome will lower the pH, will also signal some bacteria that there is energy available and that they can become active to start fermentation of fibers. This kind of signal function of certain molecules is a typical phenomenon in complex eco systems. We can conclude that EpitheFood™ is offering SCFAs & MCFAs to the microbiome and signals them to start transforming fibers into SCFAs through fermentation.
Why are SCFAs & MCFAs so important for our gut?
Preferred energy source For the mucosal cells of the colon (colonocytes) a continuous source of energy is essential for their maturation and function. Most of the energy is coming from the SCFAs. Triglycerides are essentially emulsified by the bile salts. Then these fatty acids are hydrolyzed by the pancreatic lipases. The fatty acids are forming
micelles which can be uptaken by the colonocytes of the ileum. In case of EpitheFood™, the pancreatic lipases are not very capable to take on these triglycerides. Therefore the lipases of the microbiome have to take care of the hydrolyzation and making the fatty acids available for the colonocytes and the microbiome as energy source. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) The amount of SCFAs produced and absorbed from the colon content (section 2) can account for up to 15%
of the total energy uptake of humans. Of the produced SCFAs, butyrate is the preferred energy source for the colonocytes. Lack of SCFAs in the colon results in energy shortage of the colonocytes and so to mucosal atrophy.- Health Benefits
- Energy source for colonocytes and mucosal cells in general
- Energy source for beneficial gut flora
- Helps immune system around the gut to recover
- Reduces oxidative stress of the colon and ileum
- Lowers the pH of the stools making a better environment for beneficial bacteria
- Decreases potentially pathogenic gastro-intestinal microorganisms
- Strong help to restore a balanced microbiome
- Reduction of gastro-intestinal discomfort
- Product Highlights
Impact on the immune system
SCFAs are transformed by the cells to ATP. If SCFAs are too low, the epithelium cells will do not have enough energy to renew. But most importantly this means that
there is inflammation caused by environmental stress, lack of energy for renewal and disturbance of the immune system including excessive formation of cytokines.
Some SCFAs directly suppress so called bad bacteria. Butyric acid impacts gram negative bacteria like E. Coli and Salmonella. While capric, caprylic an lauric
acid put pressure on some gram positive bacteria like Streptococcus and Clostridium.
In case of dysbiosis high levels of Alpha-1-antitrypsine and calprotectine will be found in the stools. Alpha-1- antitrypsine and calprotectine are the immune defense systems of last resort. In case of a healthy microbiome, one finds Secretory IgA and intestinal beta-defensin-2 in much larger quantities in the stools than in case of dysbiosis. The immune system can only function effectively if the epithelium is in good condition. SCFA’s are essential for this. Conclusion: the immune system controls the balance of the gut microbiome and depends on a healthy epithelium.
Impact on the pH of the stools Another environmental factor is that in case of dysbiosis, the pH is increased to 6.6-8.5. The pH should be between 5.8 and 6.3 in a healthy microbiome. An elevated pH inhibits most of the beneficial bacteria. SCFAs help to lower the pH. The importance of antioxidants in future product design In case of dysbiosis there is excessive oxidative stress in the epithelium. Part of it is caused by cytokines from the immune system. The condition is generating quite some free radicals and is in a reinforcing loop. A good antioxidant is essential to calm down this situation and to stop the spiral of more cytokines creating more free radicals creating again more cytokines. Antioxidants should be long lived in order to make it into the colon. Fermented turmeric (FermericTM) is a good example. But also polyphenols from berries (BerrioticsTM) are interesting.
Applications & Uses
- Markets
Properties
- Fatty Acid Composition
| Value | Units | Test Method / Conditions | |
| Butyric Acid (C4, m/m) | 8.5 - 15.5 | % | — |
| Caprylic Acid (C8, m/m) | 14.5 - 21.5 | % | — |
| Capric Acid (C10, m/m) | 13.0 - 20.0 | % | — |
| Lauric Acid (C12, m/m) | 16.5 - 23 | % | — |
| Esterification Agent | Glycerol | — | — |
| Drying and Fluidizing Agent | Silicium dioxide | — | — |