Research/Nutrient uptake in cells and gut functions
From Poultry Hub
Title: Nutrient uptake in cells and gut functions
Project Leader: Smyl at University of Adelaide funded by Poultry CRC (Project 03-03b)
Duration of Project: Now completed (1 September 2003 to 31 December 2007)
Contents |
Project overview
Major advances in nutritional science require a detailed understanding of the range of plant-derived compounds that possess bioactive properties (beneficial and detrimental). These compounds can have various anti-nutritional, prebiotic, probiotic, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, and immunostimulatory activities.
Project objectives
- Develop and validate in vitro techniques based on live intestinal cells from chickens for assessing the effects of novel biologically active compounds in feed ingredients and feed additives on digestive function and nutrient uptake.
Project progress
This project has been completed and the Final Report is underway. Contact the Poultry CRC for more information.
A live cell assay based on isolated intestinal strips was developed for investigating the physiology and biochemistry of nutrient uptake, metabolism and function of the chicken gut. The tissue strip system provides a more realistic picture of conditions in vivo than previously used methods based on isolated enterocytes. Intestinal tissue strips allow the affect of novel dietary components on cell metabolism to be assessed dynamically. Changes in nutrient metabolism within enterocytes, responses to novel dietary carbohydrates, and antibacterial properties of short to medium chain fatty acids, have been assessed.
In addition to its value as a research tool, this assay system has the potential for development as a commercial service for quick and cheap scanning of feed additives claimed to have desirable properties that enhance gut function and gut health of commercial flocks.
