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INSIDE THE ‘STOMACH ROBOT’: DISCOVER DIGESTION WITH FOODSIM
The BioTeC+ research team, headed by Professor Jan Van Impe at KU Leuven, Ghent Campus, proudly presents FooDSIM (Food Digestion Simulator), an in vitro simulator of human digestion. This unique technology is designed to provide a detailed and biologically/ physiologically accurate reproduction of the complex human digestive process. With FooDSIM, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of how our bodies process food, absorb nutrients, and interact with microorganisms naturally present in the digestive tract or introduced through food consumption.
BioTeC+’s research program focuses primarily on the optimization and control of microbial/(bio) chemical conversion processes using advanced mathematical models and techniques, combined with a profound knowledge of (micro)biology and (bio) chemistry to comprehend and manage these processes. The team applies their research across various domains, including food safety, predictive microbiology, waste processing, and the development of associated innovative technologies.
The team explores both the positive and negative aspects of microbiology. Positive microbiology examines the beneficial contributions of microorganisms in food production (e.g. fermentation) and the genetic modification of organisms for useful purposes. Negative microbiology focuses on combating pathogenic bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella, which pose threats to food safety. This is where FooDSIM comes into play: it allows for flexible study of both the body’s native microbial population essential for a healthy metabolism, as well as invading foodborne pathogens.
Realistic simulation
One of FooDSIM’s most remarkable features is its ability to realistically and reproducibly simulate human digestion. Traditional in vitro digestion models are often static, with all digestive stages occurring in a single container. FooDSIM, however, offers a dynamic approach in which different digestive stages take place in a series of consecutive computer-controlled reactors equipped with numerous pumps and sensors.
In the human body, digestion begins in the stomach, where food is broken down and mixed with gastric juices. FooDSIM uses standardized food that is gradually added to the first reactor vessel, mimicking the time it takes a person to consume food and for the stomach to gradually release juices. Additionally, it replicates the slow change in pH levels within the stomach.
Next, the food moves to the first part of the small intestine, namely the duodenum and jejunum, where further breakdown and nutrient absorption occur. The primary goal here is to break down macromolecules. Fats, carbohydrates, and proteins in the food are broken down into fatty acids, sugars, and amino acids so they can be absorbed by the body. This absorption is simulated using a filter with hollow fiber membranes, the same type used in kidney dialysis.
The remaining undigested food then reaches the final segment of the small intestine, the ileum, where the number of gut bacteria begins to increase. Finally, the food moves to the large intestine, where it is fermented by about 10 to 100 trillion gut bacteria. Typically, we consume three meals a day—breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Our large intestine is partially emptied every 24 hours. FooDSIM accurately reproduces all these phases and measures the presence of various substances, including shortchain fatty acids, which are crucial for our health.
Microbiota research
One of FooDSIM’s key applications lies in studying gut microbiota, particularly the beneficial bacteria in our bodies. Potentially harmful microorganisms in our food usually don’t cause issues in the stomach, they become active later in the digestive system. Our body possesses beneficial gut bacteria that support our digestive system. Since BioTeC+ also researches food safety, they examine how these good gut bacteria interact with pathogens such as Salmonella Typhimurium and Listeria Monocytogenes.
The team also investigates the effects of dietary changes on healthy gut microbiota, as a variety of bacteria is essential for a healthy body. A monotonous or limited diet can lead to the loss of certain bacteria, potentially causing health problems. FooDSIM is a valuable research tool for this: researchers adjust the stomach robot’s diet to study its impact on infections. They assess whether diet-related natural gut microbiota can combat these pathogens or if antibiotics are necessary. This helps us understand how antibiotics work and develop new antibiotic strategies, which is also part of BioTeC+’s research.
The major advantage of FooDSIM is that its dynamic system ensures researchers obtain reliable and reproducible results. They have full control over the process and know exactly what happens at each stage. This marks a significant advancement in understanding complex digestive processes and the implications of these insights on public health.
Tine Desodt
https://cit.kuleuven.be/biotec
