Evaluation of symbiotic potential of biotransformed soybean extract and probiotic strains on equol production by the intestinal microbiota in menopausal women

• Grant number: 19/10325-0
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): March 01, 2020
• Effective date (End): February 28, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology
• Principal researcher: Gabriela Alves Macedo
• Grantee: Cíntia Rabelo e Paiva Caria
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos (FEA). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Soy isoflavones may improve menopausal symptoms, and subsequently provide protection from cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis and cancer. However, estrogenic activity found in soy products need to be metabolised by gut microbiota in its active metabolites, mainly equol. Besides that, an ability to produce equol varies among individuals, being that only 20-30% of the individuals in Western countries and 40-60% among individuals in Asian countries are equol producers. In this context, dietary strategies have been used in order to modulate the intestinal microbiota, that is, to modify the composition of intestinal bacterial populations and their products, maintaining or improving health or even aiming at therapeutic purposes. Probiotics are known to improve composition of the intestinal microbiota resulting benefits to the health of the host. In contrast, some strategies of biotransformation of soymilk and glycosylated isoflavones have been investigated with biotechnological interest in order to increase the bioavailability of bioactive compounds of these products. In a previous study, an enzymatic biotransformation process was able to produce a significant equol concentration in soymilk, suggesting to be functional for individuals equol non-producers. Additionally, the use of probiotics may potentiate the effects of isoflavones by promoting complementary improvements in women's health during menopause. Thus, this study intend to evaluate the symbiotic potential among biotransformed soymilk and probiotics in fecal cultures of equol non-producers menopausal women. (AU)