人工肠道模拟系统在微凝胶体外模拟消化中的应用

Application of an Artificial Gastrointestinal System to in vitro Simulation of Digestion with Microgels

摘要:

该研究构建了一套体外模拟消化人工肠道系统，评估了该系统在使用过程中的密封性和无菌性，分别以单组分结冷胶和双组分结冷胶与壳聚糖形成的微凝胶为消化物，考察其在本系统中的体外模拟消化过程。结果表明，该系统具有良好的密封及抗菌性，具备体外消化模拟系统的使用条件；通过观察消化前后微凝胶光学显微镜图、Zeta电位、粒径分布和平均尺寸等结果，可以看出结冷胶微凝胶在胃消化时部分水解，而结冷胶@壳聚糖微凝胶在胃部不易被水解，经过肠道消化后两种微凝胶结构均发生破碎，结冷胶微凝胶破碎的程度更大。在人工肠道模拟系统消化后的结冷胶微凝胶的体积平均粒径较摇床减小了6.21%，结冷胶@壳聚糖微凝胶的体积平均粒径较摇床减小了4.51%，说明人工肠道模拟系统对于微凝胶的消化更彻底。总之，这种人工肠道模拟系统有望成为体外消化模拟的模式平台，助力于促进胃肠道功能及食物消化行为方面的研究。

Abstract:

An artificial gastrointestinal system that can be used to simulate in vitro digestion was established. The sealability and sterility of the system during use was evaluated, and simulated digestion processes using digestive substances from gellan gum microgel or gellangum@chitosan microgel were investigated. The system exhibited efficient sealing and antibacterial properties, rendering it suitable for use as an in vitro digestion simulation system. Recording observations before and after digestion, including optical microscope images of microgels, Zeta potential, particle size distribution, and average particle size, revealed that the gellan gum microgel was partially hydrolyzed during digestion in the stomach, whereas the gellangum@chitosan microgel was not easily hydrolyzed in the stomach. Both types of microgel structures underwent fragmentation after intestinal digestion, with the gellan gum microgel undergoing more extensive fragmentation. Compared with rotary shaker exposure, digestion in the artificial intestinal simulation system decreased the volume-average particle size of gellan gum and gellangum@chitosan microgel by 6.21% and 4.51%, respectively, suggesting a more extensive digestion of these microgels by the artificial intestinal simulation system. In conclusion, this intestinal simulation system has the potential to serve as a model platform for in vitro digestion simulation, thereby contributing substantially to research on gastrointestinal function and food digestion behavior.