Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 1, 2025

An In Vitro Batch-culture Model to Estimate the Effects of Interventional Regimens on Human Fecal Microbiota
Published on: July 31, 2019
Regular Consumption of Biovalorized Okara-Containing Biscuit Improves Circulating Short-Chain Fatty Acids and Fecal
Delia Pei Shan Lee1, Alicia Xinli Gan1, Xue Juan Xia1
1Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, S14 Science Drive 2, Singapore, 117542, Singapore.
Scope:
Okara is a fiber-rich food by-product whereby biovalorization with Rhizopus oligosporus can improve its nutritional quality, generating fermentable substrates for improved gut health maintenance. This study evaluates the impact of okara- and biovalorized okara-containing biscuits consumption on gut health in Singapore adults.
Methods And Results:
Participants consume control (C), 20% flour-substituted okara (AOK), and 20% flour-substituted biovalorized okara (RO) biscuits for three weeks, with assessment of gut metabolites, microbiome, and dietary intake. Fecal valeric acid is significantly higher with RO compared to AOK (p = 0.005). RO and AOK have significantly higher total serum short-chain fatty acids (p = 0.002 and 0.018 respectively) and acetic acid (p = 0.007 and 0.030 respectively) compared to C. Higher serum propionic acid (p = 0.004) and lower fecal lithocholic acid (p = 0.009) are observed with RO. Although serum zonulin shows no significant difference amongst interventions, AOK reduces Clostridiales while RO increases Bifidobacterium.
Conclusion:
Okara consumption improves serum SCFA regardless of fermentation while biovalorized okara further enhances gut metabolites by modulating gut microbiome.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Bacterial Flora of the Large Intestine
The normal gut flora of the colon plays a critical role in generating essential vitamins such as vitamins K, B5, and B7.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...
Anatomy of the Intestines
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the...
Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
Digestive Functions of the Large Intestine
As the chyme moves to the colon, it triggers two characteristic sluggish contractions - haustral churning and mass peristalsis. Haustral churning involves the rhythmic contraction and relaxation...
Bioavailability: Overview

