How can the structure and physical chemistry of dietary fibre help make healthier foods

Lead Research Organisation: University of East Anglia
Department Name: Graduate Office

Abstract

Indigestible carbohydrates (dietary fibres) benefit health, by e.g. reducing cholesterol levels and maintaining healthy gut function. However, the physico-chemical mechanisms underlying these effects are not clear. Dietary fibres exist in many molecular forms, and we want to determine how these varied forms behave during digestion. The student will use a range of in vitro digestion models and other physical and chemical methods to discover how the physical chemistry of these complex carbohydrates can influence digestive processes. This research would help improve dietary advice and the design of healthier foods.
 
Description Different kinds of fibres can influence the gastrointestinal digestion in different ways depending on their chemical and physical properties. My work so far has investigated the potential mechanisms behind the cholesterol lowering effect of some dietary fibres as well as interference of fibres with lipid digestion. My results have shown the importance not only of the composition of the fibre but also of its structure, physical and chemical properties which is helping to develop new hypotheses about the mechanisms by which fibre improves health.
Exploitation Route Increasing our understanding of dietary fibre structure-function relationships could help design foods which deliver a defined physiological effect and combat obesity, metabolic disfunction and other disorders associated with malnutrition.
Sectors Agriculture, Food and Drink,Healthcare
 
Description Tara Grauwet KU Leuven 
Organisation University of Leuven
Country Belgium 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Technical expertise on in vitro lipid digestion and confocal microscopy
Collaborator Contribution Funding from fellowship to visit and conduct collaborative research on the role pf pectin on lipid digestion.
Impact Visits have been postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Currently discussion activities and timelines for future visit.
Start Year 2020
 
Description Instagram campaign 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Instagram campaign about the benefits of eating 30g of dietary fibre per day including information and engagement around dietary fibre: Quadram instagram account takeover by 3 students every Wednesday in May 2021. Posts involved informative grid posts as well as Instagram stories with quiz polls to test knowledge, encourage learning about fibre and its benefits to health as well as to encourage engagement. Content created: 81 stories, 6 posts, 1 reel. Total results stories: 11,834 Total impressions, 146 impressions on average per story, 1,356 Poll entries. Total results grid posts: 4,088 Impressions, 3,471 Unique accounts reached, 327 Likes, 20 Saves, 9 Comments, 75 Profile visits. Content is available on the Quadram Insititute's Instagram site, stories are under the highlight "Fibre Challenge".
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18214720504067787
 
Description Knowledge Exchange Programme with PhD students from the Quadram Institute, the ZIEL Institute for Food and Health (TUM) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Food Process, Engineering and Packaging 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Knowledge Exchange Programme organised by the Quadram student forum to interact with PhD Students about ongoing research across institutes. PhD students from the Quadram Institute visited the ZIEL Institute for Food and Health (TUM) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Food Process, Engineering and Packaging in Germany. The programme included tours of the facilities, scientific presentations and networking.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Norwich Science Festival - QIB activity tables and art exhibition 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Hands on activities, games and crafts at the Norwich Science Festival 2019 which is a free of charge event for the general public. I have been involved in a game about the digestive tract explaining important sites of macronutrient digestion to children, been chatting to adults about current science about dietary fibre and did some gut bacteria crafting while explaining the microbiome to children and their partents.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019