Effects of the microalgae Chlamydomonas on gastrointestinal health

Francis J. Fields; Franck Lejzerowicz; Dave Schroeder; Soo M. Ngoi; Miller Tran; Daniel McDonald; Lingjing Jiang; John T. Chang; Rob Knight; Stephen Mayfield

Journal of Functional Foods (Feb 2020)

Effects of the microalgae Chlamydomonas on gastrointestinal health

Francis J. Fields,
Franck Lejzerowicz,
Dave Schroeder,
Soo M. Ngoi,
Miller Tran,
Daniel McDonald,
Lingjing Jiang,
John T. Chang,
Rob Knight,
Stephen Mayfield

Affiliations

Francis J. Fields: The California Center for Algae Biotechnology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Corresponding author at: University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive MC#0116, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
Franck Lejzerowicz: Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
Dave Schroeder: Triton Algae Innovations, 11558 Sorrento Valley Road, Suite 3, San Diego, CA, USA
Soo M. Ngoi: Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
Miller Tran: Triton Algae Innovations, 11558 Sorrento Valley Road, Suite 3, San Diego, CA, USA
Daniel McDonald: Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
Lingjing Jiang: Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
John T. Chang: Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
Rob Knight: Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Computer Science, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
Stephen Mayfield: The California Center for Algae Biotechnology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 65
p. 103738

Abstract

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The effects of consuming whole-cell biomass of the green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii on gastrointestinal health in mice and humans was examined. A 14-day murine model of acute colitis revealed significantly less weight loss in mice that received C. reinhardtii biomass by oral gavage. Based on this result, human volunteers with varying gastrointestinal symptoms were asked to consume 1 or 3 g of C. reinhardtii daily for 30 days. Participants reported changes in their gastrointestinal health through a questionnaire and provided stool samples to analyze the composition of their gut microbiome. Those who typically experience frequent gastrointestinal symptoms reported significantly less bowel discomfort or diarrhea, significantly less gas or bloating, more regular bowel movements, and better stool consistency when regularly consuming C. reinhardtii. Analysis of participant stool samples suggested the gut microbiome composition in all groups remained complex, and no signs of dysbiosis or adverse effect on microbial composition were observed.

Published in Journal of Functional Foods

ISSN: 1756-4646 (Print); 2214-9414 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Technology: Home economics: Nutrition. Foods and food supply
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-functional-foods

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Abstract

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