Methods to mitigate Escherichia coli blooms in human ex vivo colon model experiments using the high throughput micro-Matrix bioreactor fermentation system

Ex vivo colon model experiments are frequently employed as a means to assess the gut microbiome modulating potential of different foods, food ingredients and dietary supplements. A number of useful models already exist; however, they tend to be relatively low in terms of throughput (3-4 samples per experiment) with a long experiment duration of one to a number of weeks. Therefore, a need for a high-throughput system with a short duration time is required to enable screening of large numbers of samples. Therefore, we report here on the development of a system based on the Applikon micro-Matrix bioreactor which has the capacity to run 24 samples with an experiment duration of 48 h. However, Escherichia coli blooms are a common problem encountered in this model. Here, we describe the factors that contribute to such blooms and provide approaches to address them, providing:Step by step optimisation of processes involved in conducting ex vivo distal colon experiments using the micro-Matrix bioreactor fermentation platformRecommended steps for users on how to attenuate E. coli blooms in such ex vivo colon model experiments.