Development and Evaluation of Ulva Lactuca Based Probiotic Beverage and In Vitro bioavailability of Iron Using Caco-2 Cell Model
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Date
2024-11
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Abstract
Iron deficiency Anaemia (IDA) is a public health problem with significant implications
for human health, affecting millions globally. Recent research underscores the critical role of
iron in various physiological functions, is possible by naturally increasing the iron content and its
bioavailability in the diets to address IDA in vulnerable populations. This investigation is a
designated attempt to extensively propagate the use of edible seaweeds by incorporating nutrient-
dense ingredients in effective combinations to enhance iron bioaccessibility in daily diets. Four
underexploited seaweeds Ulva lactuca, Ulva reticulata, Gracilaria edulis, and Sargassum
polycystum were procured from the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay, which is a reserve for more
than 850 recorded marine algal species. The nutritional and heavy metal analyses were carried
out as per the AOAC standard protocols. Ulva lactuca was identified as a good source of iron,
prompting the formulation, standardisation and evaluation of an Ulva based probiotic beverage.
Whey was used for the probiotic base and oranges as a source of vitamin C. Palm jaggery, and
processed seaweed extract were added and the sensory evaluation was performed using a 9-point
Hedonic Scale, demonstrating favourable consumer acceptance. The beverage's physical,
nutritional, and nutraceutical profiles were assessed, revealing notable radical scavenging
activity via DPPH and FRAP assays. The identification of bioactive compounds was conducted
using GC-MS/MS, while in silico ADME profiles of abundant bioactive compounds were
analyzed with the SWISS ADME tool. The probiotic potential and antimicrobial activity of
Lactobacillus reuteri OP389067 were evaluated, alongside a shelf-life determination. In vitro
bioavailability studies using the Caco-2 cell model indicated effective iron absorption, in the
presence of ascorbic acid, highlighting the beverage's potential as a bioavailable source of iron.
From the foregoing results, it is evident that U. Lactuca based probiotic beverage was nutrient-
rich and the probiotic strain L. reuteri OP389067 demonstrated probiotic potentials and antibiotic
susceptibility and activity against common food-borne bacteria. The nutrient and nutraceutical
potentials of the developed probiotic beverage showed prominent antioxidant properties and
bioactive compounds, catering to the therapeutic attributes of the beverage. The favourable
ferritin uptake in the presence of ascorbic acid observed in the in vitro bioavailability study of
Iron using the Caco-2 cells positively infers that Ulva lactuca based probiotic beverage exhibit
significant nutritional and therapeutic attributes and could be used as a potential food supplement
in IDA management.
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Food Science and Nutrition