Fungal Multi-enzyme Blend Promotes Improved Macronutrient Hydrolysis of Mixed Meal Substrates in the INFOGEST in vitro Simulation of Digestion

Fungal enzymes are often combined in dietary supplements to support digestive health. The purpose of this study was to test the effects of a mixture of 6 fungal enzymes (BC-006) on macronutrient digestion in the INFOGEST static simulation of gastrointestinal digestion in vitro. Substrates included an oral nutritional supplement (ONS), heated test meal (HTM) with grilled chicken, steamed peas, and potatoes, and a canned test meal (CTM) version. BC-006 contains fungal protease (Aspergillus oryzae), acid protease (A. niger), peptidase (A. melleus), lipase (Candida cylindracea), alpha-amylase (A. oryzae), and glucoamylase (A. niger). Three doses of BC-006 (0.5X, 1X, and 2X recommended dose) were evaluated on free amino nitrogen (FAN), glycerol, maltose, and glucose release from substrates. Following the gastric simulation, all doses of BC-006 increased FAN concentrations across all substrates, compared to control conditions with pepsin alone (p≤0.0001). HPLC analysis showed that BC-006 treatment increased the concentrations of leucine (ONS: 4.5-fold, HTM: 4.1-fold, CTM: 3.7-fold) and total essential amino acids (2.8-fold, 87%, 71%, respectively), compared to controls (p<0.05). In the intestinal phase, however, no differences in FAN concentrations were observed. BC-006 (1X) increased glycerol concentrations at least 3.3-fold higher in the gastric simulation (HTM, p=0.0446) and at least 76% higher in the intestinal simulation (HTM, p=0.0003). Glucose released increased with BC-006 dose for all substrates in the gastric and intestinal simulations (p<0.0001). Maltose release increased with BC-006 dose in the gastric simulation of ONS digestion (p<0.0001), but no differences were observed with HTM and CTM. In the intestinal simulation, maltose release increased with BC-006 dose in the gastric simulation of ONS digestion (p=0.0002), but decreased with increasing BC-006 dose in the gastric simulation with HTM (p=0.0077) and CTM (p=0.0083). Altogether, the BC-006 blend improved hydrolysis of all macronutrients in the gastric simulation, and lipid and carbohydrate hydrolysis in the intestinal simulation.