In Silico Modeling of Food Digestion, Nutrient Bioavailability and Loss to Colon Linked to Microbiome Dysbiosis

A Mechanistic in silico Digestion Model (MDM) was used to model nutrient digestion, absorption, signals of hunger, satiety and appetite, and the delivery of unabsorbed nutrients to the colon.The model is based on many studies reported in the literature on nutrient hydrolysis by digestive enzymes and physiological studies that describe the regulation of digestion through neural and hormonal gut signaling by adapting transit rates through the mouth, stomach and small intestine, digestive fluid secretion, and absorption rates.Application the MDM gives mechanism-based predictions of digestion, bioavailability and prospective food intake.This publication focusses on protein digestion and unabsorbed proteinaceous and lipidic material reaching the colon.Particularly food-derived proteinaceous material reaching the colon is suspect because higher amounts have been shown to alter the composition of the gut microbiome (dysbiosis), promoting the growth of bacterial species that are capable of fermenting protein (protein putrefaction), leading to the release of harmful metabolites such as ammonia, amines, and sulfides.The MDM was used to predict the effects of a number of food and consumption parameters on the amount of proteinaceous material reaching the colon, enabling the design of strategies for reducing the risk of harmful protein putrefaction and microbiome dysbiosis.