Modulação do microbioma intestinal de ratos pela Ilex paraguariensis

Abstract

Studies have demonstrated the relationship between food choices and the activity of the intestinal microbiota, inferring the symbiotic balance effects of microorganisms present in the intestine or effects contrary to it, which may be associated with neurodegenerative, metabolic and immunological complications. Foods with phenolic compounds present in their composition have a selective influence on the intestinal microbiota, in this sense yerba mate can be a good alternative to carry out this modulation. The use of bioactive agents is a challenge, due to their easy degradation in the digestive tract, not being able to fully exercise their functions, due to this, encapsulation techniques can be used. In this context, we aim to evaluate the impact of ingesting free and microencapsulated yerba mate extract as a potential modulating agent of the intestinal microbiota of rats. For this, the extract of yerba mate was evaluated in relation to total phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity by ABTS and FRAP methods, behavior at different pH's and HPLC, presenting results of quantification of the antioxidant activity of 52.96 μmol Trolox / mL for ABTS and 64.53 μmol Trolox / mL for FRAP assays and 10.17 mgEAG / mL for total phenolic compounds. The quantification of phenolic compounds at pH 7.5, simulating intestinal pH was higher than the quantification at pH 2.0, simulating stomach pH. The compounds identified in greater abundance in the lyophilized extract of yerba mate were the isomers of chlorogenic acid with 14.22g / 100g. The extract was microencapsulated using the ionic gelation technique, using the concentrations of 1.5% sodium alginate and 1.5% calcium chloride for crosslinking. The microcapsules produced were evaluated for encapsulation efficiency, with values of 46.5%. The capsules were also analyzed for their external morphology, water solubility and behavior at different pH values, showing a solubility of 38.70%. The quantification of the antioxidant activity of yerba mate capsules at pH 7.5 and 2.0 showed no significant difference. The modulation of the intestinal microbiome of rats by the extract of yerba mate was determined by real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) tests for the microorganisms Lactobacillus sp., Bifidobacterium sp. and Prevotella sp. considered beneficial. The behavior of the intestinal microbiota of 40 Wistar rats in different study groups was evaluated, with supplementation of 3.29 mg of phenolic compounds / animal / day, for 45 days, for four groups of animals: free extract, microencapsulated herb extract. mate, in addition to the control groups: water and empty capsules. The compounds present in the extract of Ilex paraguariensis had effects on the modulation of the intestinal microbiota of rats for the microorganisms studied, when evaluated before and after ingesting the extract of yerba mate. There was no significant difference in the results of the animals supplemented with microencapsulated extract, compared to the free extract of yerba mate, suggesting the use of free extract in detriment to the encapsulated one. Finally, these understandings may enable the expertise and diversification of the use of yerba mate, to stimulate a good microbiota, featuring an alternative to control and prevent diseases resulting from poor diet.