In vitro protein digestion and carbohydrate colon fermentation of microbial biomass samples from bacterial, filamentous fungus and yeast sources

This study evaluated the nutritional quality of different microbial biomass samples by assessing their protein digestibility and carbohydrate fermentability in the colon using in vitro methods. Four microbial samples were produced: one hydrogen-oxidizing bacterial strain (Nocardioides nitrophenolicus KGS-27), two strains of filamentous fungi (Rhizopus oligosporus and Paecilomyces variotii), and one yeast strain (Rhodotorula babjevae). The microorganisms were grown in bioreactors, harvested and dried before analysis. The commercial fungal product Quorn was used as a reference. The protein digestibility of the microbial samples was analysed using the INFOGEST in vitro model, followed by quantification of N-terminal amine groups. An in vitro faecal fermentation experiment was also performed to evaluate the degradation of carbohydrates in microbial biomass samples and formation of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). The fungal biomass samples had higher protein hydrolysis (60-75%) than the bacterial sample (12%) and Quorn (45%), while the yeast biomass had the highest protein digestibility (85%). Heat-treatment of the biomass significantly reduced its protein digestibility. Total dietary fibre (DF) content of fungal biomass was 31 – 43%(DW), mostly insoluble, whereas the bacterial biomass contained mainly soluble DF (total DF: 25.7%, of which 23.5% were soluble and 2.2% insoluble). After 24 h of colonic in vitro fermentation, SCFA production from the biomass of Paecilomyces, Quorn and Rhodotorula was similar to that of wheat bran, while 17% and 32% less SCFA were produced from the biomass of Rhizopus and the bacterial strain, respectively. Further studies are needed to clarify the reasons for the observed differences in protein digestibility and DF fermentability, especially regarding the cell wall structures and role of post-processing.