The human gut contains thousands of bacterial species, some of which can treat various gastrointestinal disorders. Some species may aid in the fight against colon cancer, while others may help treat or prevent infections like C. difficile.
Chemical engineers developed a microbe coating that could make it easier to use the organisms to treat gastrointestinal illnesses. The study has the potential to have a significant impact on the Gastrointestinal Market since it demonstrates that bacteria can be protected via a coating that allows them to survive the manufacturing process.
The researchers indicated that the coating might be used on a strain of E. coli and another species that could help with plant starch digestion. The layer could also be used on a variety of other animals. According to the researchers, this coverage might be utilized to protect almost any microbe of interest. They believe that there are bacteria out there that can aid in the treatment of several diseases, and the team can safeguard them during the manufacturing and production process.
The majority of microorganisms in the human gut are anaerobic and have variable degrees of oxygen sensitivity. Some can tolerate a small amount of oxygen, while others cannot. As bacteria need to be freeze-dried and manufactured as capsules to be utilized therapeutically, testing their potential as therapies for human disease is complicated. Researchers in this study chose to wrap anaerobic bacteria with a substance consisting of metal ions and organic chemicals called polyphenols to preserve them.
Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron was one of the strains used by the researchers to evaluate the coating. This species appears to be more numerous in the gut microbiome of healthy persons, as it has enzymes that specialize in glucose digestion. However, because these bacteria are oxygen-sensitive, it has been challenging to research how they benefit health if given as biotherapeutics.
Another potential for the covering could be to protect bacteria used as vaccinations. The BCG vaccination, which contains a bovine version of the tuberculosis-causing bacterium, is challenging to make and must be kept at low temperatures. It might be coated with a protective layer, obviating the need for cold storage and simplifying delivery. Bacteria with this form of protective coating could also be helpful in agricultural applications, such as assisting in the tolerance of stress within crops.
At last, the team also added that eliminating the need for cold storage and transportation would make a wide range of treatments more readily available.
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