Perspective on Constructing Cellulose-Hydrogel-Based Gut-Like Bioreactors for Growth and Delivery of Multiple-Strain Probiotic Bacteria

Srinivas Mettu, Zubeen Hathi, Sandya Athukoralalage, Anshu Priya, Tsz Nok Lam, Khai Lun Ong, Namita Roy Choudhury, Naba Kumar Dutta, Rodrigo Curvello, Gil Garnier, Carol Sze Ki Lin

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

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.

Original languageBritish English
Pages (from-to)4946-4959
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Volume69
Issue number17
DOIs
StatePublished - 5 May 2021

Keywords

  • biotherapeutics
  • cellulose hydrogels
  • encapsulation
  • gut microbiota
  • hydrogel bioreactors
  • probiotic bacteria

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