PROJECT R&D+I

TITLE
CAPEOSBAC - TAILORED MICROENCAPSULATION TECHNOLOGY FOR EXTREME OXYGEN-
SENSITIVE BACTERIA WITH BENEFICIAL EFFECTS ON GUT MICROBIOTA: PRODUCTION,
STABILITY AND FUNCTIONALITY ENHANCEMENTS IN VARIOUS CARRIERS.

HIGHLIGHTS
Development of new technologies for the handling of selected ESO bacteria in ambient air
and simultaneously the production of new functional products

ABSTRACT
It is well known that diet controls/modulates many body functions regulating health/homeostasis
& functional products can provide various nutritional/health benefits. The concept of
beneficial/probiotic bacteria is supported by a gut ecosystem that contributes to human
physiology; hence its modulation helps maintain health reducing disease risk. Faecalibacterium
prausnitzii and Akkermansia muciniphila have been identified as candidates for next generation
probiotics with great potential to avert inflammatory & diet-related disorders. Yet, the extent to
how these non-conventional native gut bacteria are effective on humans remains largely
unexplored mainly due to their extreme sensitivity to O2 (ESO) traces. If these strains are to be
used successfully in food/supplements/drugs they need to be stable/active in humans.

Given the strong need for efficient modulation of F. prausnitzii and/or A. muciniphila abundance
in the gut, & conscious of a current lack of knowledge on effective methodologies to do so, the
team has identified a pressing need for modulation of F. prausnitzii and/or A. muciniphila
abundance in the gut, but the major scientific question is how can this be done? It was
hypothesized that it’s possible to develop sound technological solutions under challenging aerobic
conditions, via microencapsulation, for enhancing viability/stability/innocuity/functionality of F.
prausnitzii and A. muciniphila. The development of new technologies for handling the selected
EOS bacteria at ambient air and simultaneously producing new functional products will be
extremely important for the economy. Hence, the main objectives of this project are:

1) To promote optimum viability & stability of these ESO bacteria under stress conditions
using combinations of different agents;

2) To adapt/establish new microencapsulation strategies for enhancing viability & stability of

EOS bacteria;

3) To adapt methods to assess microencapsulated ESO (MCESO) throughout storage, gastric

resistance & intestinal delivery;

4) To assess in vitro impact of processing conditions on physiological activities & on gene

expression/regulation of free & MCESO;

5) To develop & characterize new foods/supplements or drug forms with MCESO;

6) To validate in vivo biological activity of MCESO incorporated in the selected carriers.

To achieve the proposed objectives, the project will be developed through an
interdisciplinary/interinstitutional approach with researchers from vital scientific areas e.g.
encapsulation strategies, and with 3 national/international expert’s cooperation. The project
will permit PI and team, to increase knowledge & know-how on ESO strains, a challenging task
which will create new technological solutions important for food/health sectors.
 PROJECT R&D+I

KEYWORDS
Microencapsulation; Bacteria; Probiotics; Functional Foods.

PROMOTERS / PARTNERS
Universidade Católica Portuguesa-UCP (ESB/CBQF) (Coordenador); IINFACTS – CESPU; Coimbra Institute for
Clinical and Biomedical Research (ICBR).

FINANCING PROGRAM EXECUTION DATE GLOBAL BUDGET

PTDC/BAA-AGR/31400/2017 2018-2021 € 197 998,60

CONTACTS (ESB) E-MAIL PHONE

Ana Freitas (PI) afreitas@porto.ucp.pt +351 225 580 094

Ana Maria Gomes (Co-PI) amgomes@porto.ucp.pt +351 225 580 084