New polymers safely deliver probiotics to the intestines

The yoghurt that people often drink contains a lot of probiotics, but these probiotics are often killed by stomach acid when they pass through the stomach, and they can reach the intestines. British researchers have developed a new type of polymer that acts as a protective film to safely deliver probiotics to the intestines.

The polymer was developed at the University of Wolverhampton in the United Kingdom, and the researchers reported the results at an academic meeting of the General Microbiology Society of the United Kingdom this week.

According to reports, some common probiotics such as lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria can be treated with this polymer. After being covered by a protective film formed by a polymer, these bacteria can persist for 4 hours in a laboratory simulated gastric acid environment, and bacteria without a protective film usually die within 2 hours. When the bacteria reach the intestines, the protective film breaks down and releases probiotics.

Researcher Isa Radka said the polymer is non-toxic, edible, and biodegradable, so it can be used in food. One of the goals pursued by the current probiotic industry is to increase the proportion of probiotics that can pass through the stomach to the intestine. This polymer provides a better solution.

In addition, this polymer has potential for use in the medical field, such as to protect certain drugs with specific requirements, and to help them enter the intestine through the acidic environment of the stomach.

Probiotics are bacteria that are good for human health. Studies have shown that some probiotics have the effects of enhancing immunity, preventing infection, and may even have anti-cancer effects. In recent years, the probiotic industry has experienced a booming global trend. It is estimated that the UK probiotic industry is worth about 200 million pounds per year.