PharmaBiome and Roquette collaborate on development of tailored fibers

The partnership aims to design brand new nutrition and health ingredients targeting an optimal interaction with gut microbiota to contribute to a healthy diet. Their method allows the screening and the formulation of innovative prebiotic solutions using novel soluble fibers developed by Roquette.

30 grams of fiber a day, essential to nourish the intestinal microbiota and improve well-being
Today, fiber intake is largely below recommendation in many countries, with a foreseeable increase in different health issues such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and intestinal diseases in the coming years. This deficit in fiber intake is currently called the “fiber gap” and means that most people are lacking at least 10 grams of fiber per day in their diet.

Fiber is an important component of a healthy diet for the following reasons:

• promotes digestive health,
• has a prebiotic effect on the gut microbiota,
• reduces the risk of chronic diseases,
• helps control blood sugar levels,
• promotes satiety and weight management.

A partnership that targets an optimal interaction with gut microbiota
The use of different fibers by selective bacteria induces the production of molecules – metabolites – that will impact the host’s health. These fibers are qualified as prebiotics. To optimize the health benefits of a fiber, it is essential to understand how gut bacteria use their substrates and what the produced molecules are. Knowing the structural characteristics that make a prebiotic out of a fiber is key to produce new ingredients with specific health properties.