Correlations between Microbiota Bioactivity and Bioavailability of Functional Compounds: A Mini-Review

Abstract

Numerous studies have demonstrated the role of the microbiota in supporting the physiological functions, owing to its metabolomic component. The presence of biocomponents generally leads to the correction of the microbial pattern correlated with the reduction of oxidative pressure. This study aims to present the main processes that correlate the bioavailability and bioactivity of some functional components through the action of the human microbiota. The use of probiotics and prebiotics is an innovative manner involving alternatives that increase the bioavailability of certain natural or metabolic components has been proposed. Probiotic strains (Saccharomyces cerevisiae or Lactobacillus (L.) plantarum) may represent an intermediary for increasing the antioxidant bioactivity, and they may be administered in the form of a biomass enriched with functional compounds, such as phenolic acids. The limiting effect of gastrointestinal transit is, in several cases, the key to the biopharmaceutical value of new products (or supplements). The identification of newer ways of formulating supplements also involves the compatibility of different types of products, the testing of bioaccessibility, and the elimination of biotransformations.

Keywords: absorption; bioaccesibility; pattern; polyphenols; probiotic.

Figure 1

The effects of microbiota bioactivity and bioavailability of functional compounds. This Figure was obtained in part by using images from Servier Medical Art, licensed under CC-BY 3.0.CC BY 3.0, and the PowerPoint program from the Microsoft Office 2016 software package (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA, USA).