Description

Scientific research confirms that diet, gut microbiota, and human health, including neurodegenerative diseases, are closely interconnected. Despite this, many aspects remain unknown and poorly understood. The NeuroTOm project – “Neuroactive compounds in Tomatoes and their role in the development of neurodegenerative diseases via the gut-brain axis using a multi-Omics approach”, funded under the NOO program, aims to deepen the understanding of the diet-gut microbiota-brain connection and contribute to the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases.

As part of the postdoctoral study, funded by the MSCA-PF program, the project used tomatoes as a model food and employed targeted and untargeted methods (LC-MS/MS, GC-MS/MS) to identify neuroactive compounds in tomatoes. In vitro digestion and colon models were used to study the fate of these compounds during digestion and fermentation and their impact on the gut microbiota. The main goal of reintegration is the transfer of this knowledge to the Organic Analysis research group at the Department of Environmental Sciences (Jožef Stefan Institute) and the further expansion of the project.

In the first year, the aim is to publish the results obtained during the postdoctoral study and to transfer and establish methods for determining neuroactive and other biological compounds using LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS in food. Emphasis will also be placed on analyzing samples from media simulating biological fluids (digestive matrices, feces) and on the development of 2D in vitro digestion models, including the upper and lower parts of the digestive tract.

In the second year, the project will expand to study other biologically active compounds, conduct digestion of different food types, and include more advanced in vitro 3D models. The goal is also to incorporate real biological matrices (urine, plasma) and environmental samples (wastewater, surface waters, activated sludge), which will allow the start of linking this new research field to the existing work of the research group in epidemiological research and environmental monitoring. The project will enable the researcher and the research group to establish collaboration with other relevant research groups in this field, such as the National Institute of Biology, and with clinical institutions like the Polyclinic in Ljubljana, Department of Dementia, to be involved in intervention studies. The project will also connect researchers working in this area. Additionally, the goal is to support the establishment of the Metabolomics Society of Slovenia.

Overall Aim:

Transferring knowledge and skills acquired abroad to establish a new research area within the group of organic analysis and the department and Expanding the NeuroTOm Research:

Objectives:

To strengthening understanding of neuroactive and other bioactive compounds behavior once they enter human body with the focus on metabolomics:

•Transfer to other food, strenghten the chemical profile.

•Investigating chemical intestinal and blood brain barrier permeability.

•Linking in vitro data with clinical interventional studies and WBE.