ENHANCING MICROBIOTA-MODULATING EFFECTS OF CEREAL BRANS BY MICROFLUIDIZATION

The goal of this project is to enhance microbiota-modulating effects of cereal brans including corn bran, wheat bran, and oat bran by applying the microfluidization process to reduce the brans' particle sizes and loosen their microstructure. The following specific objectives will be pursued:Assessment of the ability of microfluidized cereal brans to modulate gut microbiota composition;Quantification of fermentation of microfluidized cereal brans;Determination of the impacts of major phenolic acids and their metabolites on growth of selected bacterial reference strains;Optimization of microfluidization conditions for optimal microbiota-modulating effects.