Influence of consumption of the food additive carrageenan on the gut microbiota and the intestinal homeostasis of mice
Alicia Bellanco, Judith Félix, Estefanía Díaz‐Del Cerro, M. Carmen Martínez‐Cuesta, Mónica De la Fuente, Teresa Requena
Abstract
phylum. The PICRUSt2 functional predictions showed an overall increase in functional clusters of orthologous genes (COGs) involved in carbohydrate transport and metabolism. A significant increase in the cytotoxicity of fecal supernatants was observed in CGN-fed mice, which correlated with worsening of immune functions and oxidative parameters. The altered immunity and oxidative stress observed in young mice after the consumption of CGN, along with the fecal cytotoxicity shown towards intestinal epithelial cells, may be associated with the gut microbiota's capacity to degrade CGN. The characterization of the gut microbiota's ability to hydrolyze CGN should be included in the risk assessment of this food additive.