The project described here is a targeted approach, where in-sights into the technical possibilities for enzymatic modification and butyrylation of starches and their properties in in vitro and in vivo models will generate fundamental knowledge on the potential for starch based nutraceuticals to prevent gastrointestinal disorders. T

he major scientific innovation in this project is the combination of enzymatic modification followed by butyrylation, which we believe will result in starch based nutraceuticals that are much more efficient in improving colonic health than just butyrylated starch is on its own.

The new knowledge will result in future projects that investigates the curing effects of these nutraceuticals (i.e. in animal intestinal disease models) and on human gastrointestinal health and systemic effects of increased colonic butyrate delivery.

This project is also likely to result in collaboration with food ingredient businesses for larger scale production and commercialisation of the products.

Overall, the gained knowledge aims to decrease the incidence of large intestinal diseases (cancer, inflammation) in the Danish population.