Abstract
Bacteria in our gut, are responsible for facilitating a variety of functions from metabolism to maintaining immunological homeostasis. The gut microbiota have also been shown to be affected by diet. Sucralose, a minimally metabolized, non-nutritive, and non-caloric sweetener, is found in a variety of food and drinks marketed to diabetics and health conscious individuals. Sucralose is chlorinated sucrose (common table sugar). Indicators suggest that sucralose may have a deleterious effect on gut microbiota, possibly leading to health conditions such as Crohn’s disease. Although there are likely several mechanisms involved, the purpose of this experiment is to focus on the effects of the molecular chlorination of sucralose on bacterial growth. Two species were used as test organisms (Escherichia coli and Enterobacter aerogenes). Initially, both species of bacteria were grown in distilled water, sucrose, sucralose, chlorine and combinations of these treatments. The standard disk diffusion assay was used to measure the zones of inhibition (of bacterial growth) in each treatment. Upon finding small zones of inhibition in most cases and not much difference among treatments, especially compared to distilled water, a more focused experiment to address the effect of concentration of sucralose in bacterial inhibition was conducted. Again, the standard disk diffusion assay was used with concentrations of sucralose ranging from 0-2.0 M for both bacterial species. Sucralose concentrations of 0.25 M and higher consistently showed zones of growth inhibition. These results suggest that microbial growth effects may likely occur with a chronic use of sucralose.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. Nicole Porther, Dr. Emily Schmitt Lavin
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-8-2016 1:00 PM
End Date
4-8-2016 5:30 PM
Molecular Chlorination of Sucrose and Possible Growth Effects on Human Gut Microbiota
Alvin Sherman Library
Bacteria in our gut, are responsible for facilitating a variety of functions from metabolism to maintaining immunological homeostasis. The gut microbiota have also been shown to be affected by diet. Sucralose, a minimally metabolized, non-nutritive, and non-caloric sweetener, is found in a variety of food and drinks marketed to diabetics and health conscious individuals. Sucralose is chlorinated sucrose (common table sugar). Indicators suggest that sucralose may have a deleterious effect on gut microbiota, possibly leading to health conditions such as Crohn’s disease. Although there are likely several mechanisms involved, the purpose of this experiment is to focus on the effects of the molecular chlorination of sucralose on bacterial growth. Two species were used as test organisms (Escherichia coli and Enterobacter aerogenes). Initially, both species of bacteria were grown in distilled water, sucrose, sucralose, chlorine and combinations of these treatments. The standard disk diffusion assay was used to measure the zones of inhibition (of bacterial growth) in each treatment. Upon finding small zones of inhibition in most cases and not much difference among treatments, especially compared to distilled water, a more focused experiment to address the effect of concentration of sucralose in bacterial inhibition was conducted. Again, the standard disk diffusion assay was used with concentrations of sucralose ranging from 0-2.0 M for both bacterial species. Sucralose concentrations of 0.25 M and higher consistently showed zones of growth inhibition. These results suggest that microbial growth effects may likely occur with a chronic use of sucralose.
