Amalesh Samanta
Jadavpur University
India
Title: Gum odina: A novel prebiotic, immune booster and vehicle for colon targeted probiotic delivery
Biography
Biography: Amalesh Samanta
Abstract
The use of prebiotic to fortify certain gut flora is current aspect of research for the control and prevention of colon cancer. In the present study we evaluated the efficacy of a natural gum (Gum odina) as prebiotic which is obtained from bark of Odina wodier (Anacardiaceae). The gum is polysaccharide in nature, chemically galactopyranose associated with arabinose side chain. Gum odina not only supports growth of probiotics but its incorporation into feed of mice also boosts immune system by increasing sIgA, IFN-γ in the gut environment and suppressing acute inflammatory reactions. In vitro studies using Simulator for Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME) show that natural gum upon fermentation by microbes liberates short chain fatty acids (SCFA) which possess colon cancer preventing properties and slows down the overall tumor genesis process. In our previous study we also developed a novel Polyelectrolyte Complex (PEC) of chitosan and gum odina (Ch-GO) as potential candidate for colon targeting. Recently we have prepared microcapsule of probiotics using this novel polymer (Ch-GO) for colon targeted delivery. This approach reduces viability losses and offers good protection from gastric and intestinal fluids of host. Thus the multi-functionalities of this natural gum especially as prebiotics, immune booster and colorectal cancer preventive and also matrix forming capabilities (micro-particles) for probiotic delivery in colon are enlightened in this research.