Effect of in vitro digestion-fermentation of Ca(II)-alginate beads containing sugar and biopolymers over global antioxidant response and short chain fatty acids production

AGUIRRE-CALVO, TATIANA ROCIO; MOLINO, SILVIA; PERULLINI, MERCEDES; RUFIÁN-HENARES, JOSÉ ÁNGEL; SANTAGAPITA, PATRICIO R.

FOOD CHEMISTRY

ELSEVIER SCI LTD

Año: 2020 vol. 333

0308-8146

The aim of the present paper was to unravel the effect of a standardized in vitro European protocol of digestionfermentation over Ca(II)-alginate beads synthesized with sugars and biopolymers. Special emphasis on the antioxidant capacity using methods that simulate physiological conditions, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production, and a detailed study of the microstructure of the gel network by SAXS at several scales (1?100 nm) were considered. Beads released high antioxidant capacity during digestion assessed by several methods, comparable to some common foods; antioxidant capacity was improved with sucrose and arabic gum inclusion in the formulation. After fermentation by gut microbiota, a ten-fold increase in the antioxidant values and an important SCFAs production were obtained, revealing the enhanced ability to produce these functional biomolecules. The microstructural analysis of Ca(II)-alginate showed an advantageous behavior: they slightly changed in oral and gastric fluids and partially dissolved their structure in intestinal fluid, where absorption occurs.