| Summary: | The response of a coeliac and a healthy gut microbiota to the green algae <i>Chlorella pyrenoidosa</i> was evaluated using an in vitro continuous, pH controlled, gut model system, which simulated the human colon. The effect of <i>C. pyrenoidosa</i> on the microbial structure was determined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and inferred metagenomics, whereas the metabolic activitywas determined by<sup>1</sup>H-nuclear magnetic resonancespectroscopic analysis. The addition of <i>C. pyrenoidosa</i> significantly increased the abundance of the genera Prevotella, <i>Ruminococcus</i> and <i>Faecalibacterium</i> in the healthy donor, while an increase in <i>Faecalibacterium</i>, <i>Bifidobacterium</i> and <i>Megasphaera</i> and a decrease in Enterobacteriaceae were observed in the coeliac donor. <i>C. pyrenoidosa</i> also altered several microbial pathways including those involved in short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. At the metabolic level, a significant increase from baseline was seen in butyrate and propionate (<i>p</i> < 0.0001) in the healthy donor, especially in vessels 2 and 3. While acetate was significantly higher in the healthy donor at baseline in vessel 3 (<i>p</i> < 0.001) compared to the coeliac donor, this was markedly decreased after in vitro fermentation with <i>C. pyrenoidosa</i>. This is the first in vitro fermentation study of <i>C. pyrenoidosa</i> and human gut microbiota, however, further in vivo studies are needed to prove its efficacy.
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