Supplementation of pea seed coats to a high fat diet improves glycemic control, however, the mechanism of action is unknown. The microbiota plays an important role in the development of metabolic disease, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Two components found in pea seed coats that likely impact the microbiota are the fibre and flavonoid fractions. The research team will explore the impact of these fractions on the microbiota, intestinal barrier function and glucose tolerance in the gut. There are three primary objectives.
- Test the direct antimicrobial activity of anthocyanidins (produced upon acid-cleavage of the flavonoid polymer called proanthocyanidins that occur in pea seed coats) on isolates of the gut microbiota;
- Determine the changes in the microbiota induced by pea seed coat fractions that are associated with improved glucose tolerance in a high fat diet induced model of glucose intolerance; and
- Examine the effect of pea seed coat fractions on the microbiota and intestinal integrity when supplementing a normal-fat diet. The impact of these pea seed coat fractions on intestinal resilience will be studied using a mouse model of E. coli infection. This research will deliver new insight into the benefit of pea seed coat supplementation in the human diet, providing expanded opportunities for use as a functional food. It will also identify characteristics of peas that can be optimized through cultivar selection and development.