Effect of chlorella vulgaris on gut microbiota through a simulated in vitro digestion process

Abstract

The diet plays a fundamental role in the formation of the gut microbiota, determining the interrelationship between the gut microbiota and the host. The current study investigated the effect of Chlorella vulgaris on the gut microbiota by using simulated in vitro digestion and colonic fermentation. Bioaccessibility was measured after in vitro digestion, and SCFAs and microbial profiling were analyzed after colonic fermentation. The bioaccessibility of C. vulgaris was 0.24 g/g. The three major SCFAs (acetate, propionate, and butyrate) increased significantly when compared to the control group. In microbial profiling analysis, microorganisms such as Faecalibacterium, Dialister, Megasphaera, Dorea, Odoribacter, Roseburia, Bifidobacterium, Butyricmonas, and Veillonella were high in C. vulgaris group. Among them, Faecalibacterium, Dialister, Megasphaera, Roseburia, and Veillonella were thought to be closely associated with the increased level of SCFAs. Finally, it can be expected to help improve gut microbiota and health through ingestion of C. vulgaris. However, further studies are vital to confirm the changes in the gut microbiota in in vivo, when C. vulgaris is ingested.