Enhanced accumulation of biologically active compounds in lichens with potential functional food applications.

Lichens have great potential as food, functional food additives or flavourings. The presence of specific substances with multiple biological activities is one of the characteristics of lichens. However, research on lichens as a food source or functional food additive is limited. The present study simulated, for the first time, the potential bioaccessibility of active compounds from 6 lichen species in simulated gastric and intestinal conditions. An in vitro digestion showed that the lichen substances had different bioaccessibility and stability during digestion. It was found that the application of some metabolic modulators significantly altered the accumulation of metabolites in most species. In addition, the study demonstrated the antimicrobial activity of the tested extracts as well as of 14 isolated lichen metabolites. These multi-directional studies demonstrate the potential of lichens in terms of their use as antimicrobial functional food additives.

In Vitro Activation of Human Adrenergic Receptors and Trace Amine-Associated Receptor 1 by Phenethylamine Analogues Present in Food Supplements.

Pre-workout supplements are popular among sport athletes and overweight individuals. Phenethylamines (PEAs) and alkylamines (AA) are widely present in these supplements. Although the health effects of these analogues are not well understood yet, they are hypothesised to be agonists of adrenergic (ADR) and trace amine-associated receptors (TAARs). Therefore, we aimed to pharmacologically characterise these compounds by investigating their activating properties of ADRs and TAAR1 in vitro. The potency and efficacy of the selected PEAs and AAs was studied by using cell lines overexpressing human ADRα1A/α1B/α1D/α2a/α2B/ß1/ß2 or TAAR1. Concentration-response relationships are expressed as percentages of the maximal signal obtained by the full ADR agonist adrenaline or the full TAAR1 agonist phenethylamine. Multiple PEAs activated ADRs (EC50 = 34 nM-690 µM; Emax = 8-105%). Almost all PEAs activated TAAR1 (EC50 = 1.8-92 µM; Emax = 40-104%). Our results reveal the pharmacological profile of PEAs and AAs that are often used in food supplements. Several PEAs have strong agonistic properties on multiple receptors and resemble potencies of the endogenous ligands, indicating that they might further stimulate the already activated sympathetic nervous system in exercising athletes via multiple mechanisms. The use of supplements containing one, or a combination of, PEA(s) may pose a health risk for their consumers.

Development and validation of an analytical method for determination of citrinin in red rice and red yeast rice-based food supplements by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

Citrinin is a hepato-nephrotoxic mycotoxin produced by fungal species. The Monascus purpureus fungus plays a crucial role in the fermentation of red rice to produce red yeast rice-based food supplements, which represent the primary source of human exposure to citrinin. In this study, a simple and sensitive analytical method was successfully developed and validated for the citrinin determination in these products. The extraction process involved a QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) step and citrinin determination by ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). The proposed method provided satisfactory linearity, percentage of recovery from 82 to 104% with relative standard deviations (RSD) lower than 14%, and limits of detection and quantification of 0.07 µg/Kg and 0.24 µg/kg, respectively. Among the 14 samples analyzed, citrinin was found in two red rice samples (0.24 and 0.46 µg/kg) and in six food supplements (from 0.44 to 87 µg/kg).

Attitude to food supplement use: a survey promoted by the Italian Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology.

Food supplements are defined as foodstuffs the purpose of which is to supplement the normal diet and which are concentrated sources of nutrients or other substances with a nutritional or physiological effect, often referred to as nutraceuticals, may exert benefit to the human body. Their use is increasing worldwide, including Europe and in Italy. However, some doctors are skeptical about their effectiveness and safety. This reluctance may depend on poor knowledge of the mechanisms of action and clinical evidence in literature. The Italian Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology (SIAIP) promoted the institution of an ad hoc Committee. The first initiative performed by this Committee was the administration of a questionnaire to the members of SIAIP.The results of this survey provided interesting results. Most pediatricians know the food supplement concept but frequently need help understanding the mechanisms of action. Most prescribe food supplements, mainly for preventing infections or enhancing immune defense. In addition, they prefer to use food supplements as cycles or add-on therapy. Finally, most participants like to attend events on this issue and contribute to new evidence through trials.In conclusion, this survey underscores the relevance of food supplement issues and attests to interest in this topic. However, there is a need to provide information and promote studies on this matter.

"Edible Beauty": The Evolution of Environmentally Friendly Cosmetics and Packaging.

The cosmetics industry plays a significant role in the global economy and consumer lifestyles. Its dynamic and adaptable characteristics make it a key player worldwide. The cosmetics industry generates enormous profits globally, injecting billions of dollars into the world's economy each year. The industry's marketing efforts, product launches, and trends influence consumer behavior and perceptions of beauty, contributing to cultural dialogues and societal norms. This study, conducted with a rigorous bibliometric and systematic literature review, offers a comprehensive overview of recent progress in edible cosmetics. The "skincare you can eat" is an innovative branch of cosmetics that employs food co-products and by-products to create edible skincare and hair products and edible packaging materials to advance human well-being and sustainability while honoring the ecological boundaries of our planet. Nutrients and antioxidants derived from organic waste are used in cosmetics and packaging. Some doubts remain about the capacity of edible packaging to be attractive to consumers and offer a reasonable shelf life for cosmetics, and also about safety. It is desirable for the authorities to guarantee consumer health through carefully regulating labeling requirements and good manufacturing practices for cosmetics and edible packaging.

Development and validation of a high-performance thin-layer chromatography method for detection of sibutramine in dietary supplements.

INTRODUCTION: In the period between 1997 and 2010, sibutramine-containing drugs were widely prescribed for obesity and over-weight management. Due to safety concerns, in 2010 all medicines containing sibutramine were urgently withdrawn from the USA and European pharmaceutical market. Although sibutramine is no longer available in pharmaceutical products, there have been numerous reports of mislabeled weight-loss dietary supplements containing sibutramine.

Globe Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) By-Products in Food Applications: Functional and Biological Properties.

Globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus L.) is widely cultivated in the Mediterranean area and Italy is one of the largest producers. A great issue is represented by its high amount of by-product, mainly consisting of external bracts and stems, but also of residual leaves, stalks, roots, and seeds. Artichoke by-products are rich in nutrients (carbohydrates and proteins) and bioactive compounds (polyphenols and terpenes) and represent potential ingredients for foodstuffs, functional foods, and food supplements, due to their functional and biological properties. In fact, artichoke by-products' components exhibit many beneficial effects, such as dyspeptic, prebiotic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiglycative, antimicrobial, anticarcinogenic, and hypolipidemic properties. Therefore, they can be considered potential food ingredients useful in reducing the risk of developing metabolic and age-related disorders. This work summarizes the economic and environmental impact of the recovery and valorization of artichoke by-products, focusing on rheological, physical, and biological properties of the different components present in each by-product and their different food applications.

Exploring Vitamin B12 Supplementation in the Vegan Population: A Scoping Review of the Evidence.

With a significant portion of the population adopting veganism and conflicting views among nutrition professionals regarding the necessity of vitamin B12 supplementation, this review aims to explore existing studies evaluating interventions through food supplementation. It focuses on the impact of vitamin B12 deficiency across different demographics. The present study seeks to understand how research has addressed the relationship between the rise in veganism and vitamin B12 deficiency over the past decade. A scoping review was conducted following the PRISMA flow diagram. Studies from 2010 to 2023 were identified using Boolean operators and key terms in electronic databases such as PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and EBSCO (Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts, and Academic Search Complete). Out of 217 articles identified, 70 studies were included. The topical analysis categorized the studies into three groups: those associating vitamin B12 deficiency with diseases (n = 14), those analyzing the dietary habits of vegetarian individuals (vegan or not) without a specific focus on vitamin B12 (n = 49), and those addressing food guides and nutrition institution positions (n = 7). The authors concluded that vitamin B12 deficiency is prevalent among vegans due to limited consumption of animal products. For vegetarians, supplementation is an efficient means of treating and preventing deficiency; a daily dose of 50 to 100 micrograms is advised. There are still significant gaps in the research, nevertheless, such as the absence of randomized controlled trials evaluating various forms or dosages of vitamin B12 among vegetarians and the requirement for more information and awareness of the vitamin's significance in vegan diets.

Effects of trace element dietary supplements on voice parameters and some physiological and psychological parameters related to stress.

Trace elements, often used as dietary supplements, are widely accessible without prescription at pharmacies. Pronutri has pioneered Nutripuncture®, a methodology that utilizes orally consumed trace elements to elicit a physiological response akin to that of acupuncture. Pronutri has empirically observed that the user's voice becomes deeper following an exclusive ingestion procedure. Given that alterations in vocal characteristics are often linked to stress, the Pronutri researchers postulated that the pills have the capacity to promptly alleviate stress upon ingestion. Nevertheless, there is a lack of scientific substantiation about the impact of these supplements on voice (or stress) indicators. The aim of this research was to determine whether there is a consistent impact of trace element ingestion on vocal characteristics, namely the fundamental frequency of the voice, as well as other physiological and psychological stress measurements. In order to achieve this objective, we have devised a unique methodology to examine this hypothesis. This involves conducting a monocentric crossover, randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial with a sample size of 43 healthy individuals. This study demonstrates that compared to placebo tablets, consuming 10 metal traces containing tablets at once is enough to cause noticeable changes in the vocal spectrum in the direction of an improvement of the voice timbre "richness", and a decrease in the occurrence of spontaneous electrodermal activity, suggesting a stress reduction. However, there were no significant changes observed in the other parameters that were tested. These parameters include vocal measures such as voice frequency F0, standard deviation from this frequency, jitter, and shimmer. Additionally, physiological measures such as respiratory rate, oxygenation and heart rate variability parameters, as well as psychological measures such as self-assessment analogic scales of anxiety, stress, muscle tension, and nervous tension, did not show any significant changes. Ultimately, our research revealed that the ingestion of 10 trace elements pills may promptly elicit a targeted impact on both vocal spectrum and electrodermal activity. Despite the limited impact, these findings warrant more research to explore the long-term effects of trace elements on voice and stress reduction.

Volatile Profiling of Spirulina Food Supplements.

Spirulina, a cyanobacterium widely used as a food supplement due to its high nutrient value, contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It is crucial to assess the presence of VOCs in commercial spirulina products, as they could influence sensory quality, various processes, and technological aspects. In this study, the volatile profiles of seventeen commercial spirulina food supplements were determined using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME), coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The identification of volatile compounds was achieved using a workflow that combined data processing with software tools and reference databases, as well as retention indices (RI) and elution order data. A total of 128 VOCs were identified as belonging to chemical groups of alkanes (47.2%), ketones (25.7%), aldehydes (10.9%), alcohols (8.4%), furans (3.7%), alkenes (1.8%), esters (1.1%), pyrazines (0.8%), and other compounds (0.4%). Major volatiles among all samples were hydrocarbons, especially heptadecane and heptadec-8-ene, followed by ketones (i.e., 4-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-3-buten-2-one, ß-ionone, 2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexan-1-one), aldehydes (i.e., hexanal), and the alcohol oct-1-en-3-ol. Several volatiles were found in spirulina dietary supplements for the first time, including 6,10-dimethylundeca-5,9-dien-2-one (geranylacetone), 6,10,14-trimethylpentadecan-2-one, hept-2-enal, octanal, nonanal, oct-2-en-1-ol, heptan-1-ol, nonan-1-ol, tetradec-9-en-1-ol, 4,4-dimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-ol, 2,6-diethylpyrazine, and 1-(2,5-dimethylfuran-3-yl) ethanone. The methodology used for VOC analysis ensured high accuracy, reliability, and confidence in compound identification. Results reveal a wide variety of volatiles in commercial spirulina products, with numerous newly discovered compounds, prompting further research on sensory quality and production methods.

Knowledge levels of doctors and nurses working in surgical clinics about nutrients and food supplements, a multicentre descriptive study.

PURPOSE: The use of nutrients and food supplements is increasing worldwide. Nutrients and food supplements frequently used in the surgical period may cause complications and side effects. This study was conducted to determine the level of knowledge about sixty-one nutrients and food supplements among doctors and nurses working in surgical clinics. DESIGN: A multicentre descriptive, quantitative, cross-sectional study. METHODS: The study was conducted between 15 February and 31 May 2022 with a total of 410 participants, including 143 doctors and 267 nurses, working in the surgical clinics of 8 hospitals, including public, university and private hospitals, within the borders of one province in Turkey. Data were collected face-to-face using a questionnaire developed by the researchers, which included descriptive characteristics of the doctors and nurses and questions about sixty-one nutrients and food supplements. RESULTS: The median overall success score of the doctors and nurses participating in the study regarding the use of nutrients and food supplements was 3.20 out of 100 points, the median success score of complications and side effects of nutrients and food supplements in the surgical period was 7.06 out of 33 points, the median success score for discontinuation of nutrients and food supplements prior to surgery was 0.21 out of 16 points, and the median success score for drug interactions of nutrients and food supplements was 1.70 out of 51 points. In addition, it was found that the overall success scores of doctors and nurses regarding nutrients and food supplements increased statistically significantly with increasing age and working years. The total success score of doctors and nurses who received training in nutrients and food supplements was statistically significantly higher than that of doctors and nurses who did not receive training. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, it was found that the level of knowledge of nutrients and food supplements among doctors and nurses working in surgical clinics was less than half or even close to zero. Therefore, it is recommended that training on nutrients and food supplements should be included in the undergraduate and postgraduate education of doctors and nurses in order to prevent complications, side effects, drug interactions and patient safety related to the use of nutrients and food supplements in the surgical period.

Multi-elemental composition of botanical preparations and probabilistic evaluation of toxic metals and metalloids intake upon dietary exposure.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the inorganic elemental composition (49 elements) of 29 botanical preparations obtained from fruits, leaves, peels, seeds, roots, fungi, and spirulina by using inductively coupled-mass spectrometry and a mercury analyzer. Simultaneously, the risk associated with the chronic dietary exposure to 12 toxic metals and metalloids among the European population was evaluated by using a probabilistic approach based on Monte Carlo simulations. The analysis revealed worrying intake levels of Al, As, and Ni, primarily stemming from the consumption of spirulina-, peel-, and leaf-based botanicals by younger age groups. The intake of As from all analyzed botanicals posed a significant risk for infants, yielding margins of exposure (MOEs) below 1, while those deriving from peel-based botanicals raised concerns across all age groups (MOEs = 0.04-2.3). The consumption of peel-based botanicals contributed substantially (13-130%) also to the tolerable daily intake of Ni for infants, toddlers, and children, while that of spirulina-based botanicals raised concerns related to Al intake also among adults, contributing to 11-176% of the tolerable weekly intake of this element. The findings achieved underscore the importance of implementing a monitoring framework to address chemical contamination of botanicals, thus ensuring their safety for regular consumers.

Algae-Based Supplements Claiming Weight Loss Properties: Authenticity Control and Scientific-Based Evidence on Their Effectiveness.

The worldwide prevalence of obesity impacts more than 600 million adults. Successfully managing weight is effective in reducing the risk of chronic diseases, but sustaining long-term weight loss remains a challenge. Although there are supplements based on algae that claim to aid in weight loss, there is a notable scarcity of scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness, and their regular consumption safety remains inadequately addressed. In this work, commercially available Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis Gomont and/or Fucus vesiculosus L. supplements showed moderate capacity to inhibit the activity of carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes, and to scavenge biologically relevant reactive species. IC25 values varying between 4.54 ± 0.81 and 66.73 ± 5.91 µg of dry extract/mL and between 53.74 ± 8.42 and 1737.96 ± 98.26 µg of dry extract/mL were obtained for α-glucosidase and aldose reductase, respectively. A weaker effect towards α-amylase activity was observed, with a maximum activity of the extracts not going beyond 33%, at the highest concentrations tested. Spirulina extracts showed generally better effects than those from F. vesiculosus. Similar results were observed concerning the antiradical capacity. In a general way, the extracts were able to intercept the in vitro-generated reactive species nitric oxide (•NO) and superoxide anion (O2•-) radicals, with better results for O2•-scavenging with the spirulina samples (IC25 values of 67.16 and 122.84 µg of dry extract/mL). Chemically, similar pigment profiles were observed between spirulina supplements and the authenticated counterpart. However, fucoxanthin, the chemotaxonomic marker of brown seaweeds, was not found in F. vesiculosus samples, pointing to the occurrence of a degradation phenomenon before, during, or after raw material processing. Our findings can contribute to providing data to allow regulatory entities (e.g., EFSA and FDA) to better rule these products in a way that can benefit society.

Adulteration of Brain Health (Cognitive, Mood, and Sleep Enhancement) Food Supplements by the Addition of Pharmaceutical Drugs: A Comprehensive Review of Analytical Approaches and Trends.

In recent years, the consumption of dietary supplements has grown worldwide, particularly in developed regions. However, this growing market has also become a prime target for adulteration practices, with some manufacturers illegally adding pharmaceuticals into plant-based food supplements (PFS) to enhance their effects. While extensive research has focused on detecting adulterant drugs in PFS tailored for improving sexual performance, weight loss, and muscle building, less attention has been given to supplements intended for mood enhancement, sleep aid, and cognitive function (nootropics). Nonetheless, recent reports indicate an increasing level of adulteration within this group of PFS. Therefore, this review aims at providing a comprehensive overview on the adulteration of PFS tailored for brain health, with a focus on the analytical techniques utilized for detection while also presenting data on consumption patterns and the prevalence of reported adulterants. Considering that the detection of such fraudulent practices primarily relies on chromatographic techniques coupled with mass spectrometry (MS), the developments in this field comprising either targeted or untargeted analysis of pharmaceutical adulterants are discussed.

Solid state NMR study of the bioenhancer piperine, supported by GIPAW DFT calculations.

Piperine, an alkaloid found in black pepper fruits, has the properties of promoting the absorption of other substances (e.g. curcumin), therefore it is used in solid forms of dietary supplements as an additive increasing bioavailability. The aim of the study was to analyze piperine in a solid state and then to use it in the analysis of solid dietary supplements with the addition of piperine as an absorption promoter. The 13C CP MAS NMR spectra were recorded using variable contact time and dipolar dephasing experiment. The calculation of theoretical chemical shift values for three polymorphic forms of piperine allowed us to create a database of NMR parameters enabling the identification of polymorphic forms based on the analysis of the 13C CP MAS NMR spectrum. Additionally, the analysis of cross-polarization kinetics parameters was performed. Then, the 13C CP MAS NMR technique was used to confirm the authenticity and determine the presence of curcumin in dietary supplements containing curcumin with the addition of piperine. The presence of piperine could be confirmed even when the mass content of piperine was 70 times lower than that of curcumin. This method can be used to test the quality of dietary supplements containing the addition of piperine as an absorption promoter.

Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids in Foods, Herbal Drugs, and Food Supplements: Chemistry, Metabolism, Toxicological Significance, Analytical Methods, Occurrence, and Challenges for Future.

Consumers are increasingly seeking natural alternatives to chemical compounds, including the use of dried aromatic plants as seasonings instead of salt. However, the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) in food supplements and dried plants has become a concern because of their link to liver diseases and their classification as carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Despite European Union (EU) Regulation (EU) 2023/915, non-compliance issues persist, as indicated by alerts on the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) portal. Analyzing PAs poses a challenge because of their diverse chemical structures and low concentrations in these products, necessitating highly sensitive analytical methods. Despite these challenges, ongoing advancements in analytical techniques coupled with effective sampling and extraction strategies offer the potential to enhance safety measures. These developments aim to minimize consumer exposure to PAs and safeguard their health while addressing the growing demand for natural alternatives in the marketplace.

Investigation on the Efficacy of Two Food Supplements Containing a Fixed Combination of Selected Probiotics and ß-Glucans or Elderberry Extract for the Immune System: Modulation on Cytokines Expression in Human THP-1 and PBMC.

Several herbal and other natural products are used as ingredients in food supplements to strengthen immunity even if, very often, marketed products are proposed without a clear rationale or experimental evidence. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect on human monocytes (THP-1) and on ex vivo human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of two formulations, one containing Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bl-04® with ß-glucans (for adults) and one containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus CRL1505 with elderberry extract (for children). We compared formulations with single ingredients, with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the drug pidotimod; cytokines expression level was evaluated testing different concentrations of samples at two exposure times. As expected, LPS caused a non-specific huge upregulation of cytokines expression both in THP-1 and in PBMC, whereas pidotimod mainly upregulated IL-2 in PBMC and IL-8 in THP-1. The two formulations showed a difference between a pro-inflammatory stimulus such as LPS, and also from an immunostimulant drug, such as pidotimod, as they mainly upregulated the expression of IL-6 and IL-10 in PBMC but not in THP-1, in a concentration-dependent mode. Probiotics were shown to play a major role, but ß-glucans and elderberry extract exerted a synergistic activity. This work demonstrated that combining selected probiotics with other natural products having immunomodulatory properties is an interesting strategy to develop innovative formulations in the sector of food supplements.

Palmitoleic acid-rich oleaginous yeast Scheffersomyces segobiensis DSM 27193 exerts anti-obesity effects by ameliorating hepatic steatosis and adipose tissue hypertrophy.

BACKGROUND: Yeast biomass, encompassing fatty acids, terpenoids, vitamins, antioxidants, enzymes, and other bioactive compounds have been extensively utilized in food-related fields. The safety and potential bioactivities of Scheffersomyces segobiensis DSM 27193, an oleaginous yeast strain, are unclear. RESULTS: Scheffersomyces segobiensis DSM 27193 accumulated large palmitoleic acid (POA) levels (43.4 g kg-1 biomass) according to the results of whole-cell components. We annotated the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis, and predicted the categories and host of the pathogen-host interactions (PHI) genes in S. segobiensis DSM 27193. However, S. segobiensis DSM 27193 did not exert toxic effects in mice. Administration of S. segobiensis DSM 27193 led to substantial weight reduction by diminishing food intake in an obesity mouse model. Additionally, it reversed hepatic steatosis and adipose tissue hypertrophy, and improved abnormalities in serum biochemical profiles such as triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, lipopolysaccharide, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1ß, and interleukin-6. CONCLUSION: This study is the first to illustrate the safety and effects of S. segobiensis DSM 27193 against obesity and offers a scientific rationale for its application in functional food supplements. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

In Search of Authenticity Biomarkers in Food Supplements Containing Sea Buckthorn: A Metabolomics Approach.

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) (SB) is increasingly consumed worldwide as a food and food supplement. The remarkable richness in biologically active phytochemicals (polyphenols, carotenoids, sterols, vitamins) is responsible for its purported nutritional and health-promoting effects. Despite the considerable interest and high market demand for SB-based supplements, a limited number of studies report on the authentication of such commercially available products. Herein, untargeted metabolomics based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-ESI+MS) were able to compare the phytochemical fingerprint of leaves, berries, and various categories of SB-berry herbal supplements (teas, capsules, tablets, liquids). By untargeted metabolomics, a multivariate discrimination analysis and a univariate approach (t-test and ANOVA) showed some putative authentication biomarkers for berries, e.g., xylitol, violaxanthin, tryptophan, quinic acid, quercetin-3-rutinoside. Significant dominant molecules were found for leaves: luteolin-5-glucoside, arginine, isorhamnetin 3-rutinoside, serotonin, and tocopherol. The univariate analysis showed discriminations between the different classes of food supplements using similar algorithms. Finally, eight molecules were selected and considered significant putative authentication biomarkers. Further studies will be focused on quantitative evaluation.

Evidence of the Beneficial Impact of Three Probiotic-Based Food Supplements on the Composition and Metabolic Activity of the Intestinal Microbiota in Healthy Individuals: An Ex Vivo Study.

Scientific evidence has increasingly supported the beneficial effects of probiotic-based food supplements on human intestinal health. This ex vivo study investigated the effects on the composition and metabolic activity of the intestinal microbiota of three probiotic-based food supplements, containing, respectively, (1) Bifidobacterium longum ES1, (2) Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM®, and (3) a combination of L. acidophilus NCFM®, Lactobacillus paracasei Lpc-37™, Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07™, and Bifidobacterium lactis Bl-04™. This study employed fecal samples from six healthy donors, inoculated in a Colon-on-a-plate® system. After 48 h of exposure or non-exposure to the food supplements, the effects were measured on the overall microbial fermentation (pH), changes in microbial metabolic activity through the production of short-chain and branched-chain fatty acids (SCFAs and BCFAs), ammonium, lactate, and microbial composition. The strongest effect on the fermentation process was observed for the combined formulation probiotics, characterized by the significant stimulation of butyrate production, a significant reduction in BCFAs and ammonium in all donors, and a significant stimulatory effect on bifidobacteria and lactobacilli growth. Our findings suggest that the combined formulation probiotics significantly impact the intestinal microbiome of the healthy individuals, showing changes in metabolic activity and microbial abundance as the health benefit endpoint.