The consumption of teff grain increases the composition, the function of the stomach microbiome

Reviewed by Emily Henderson, B.Sc.November 16, 2020

The seeds of a teff plant – which look similar to wheat – are small in stature, but they have nourishment.

Relatively new to the United States, teff has long been a super food in East Africa – specifically Ethiopia – as a fiber-rich staple food crop.

Food scientists at Cornell University, led by Elad Tako, associate professor of food sciences, now confirm that this cereal greatly helps the stomach and increases the nutritional value of iron and zinc, according to a new modeling method. Their findings were reported on October 2 in the journal Nutrients.

Teff was tested in Cornell’s food science labs to understand how its seed extracts would affect the gastrointestinal tract and other systems in living organisms, through the use of a unique in vivo approach.

Wheat teff is extremely valuable. For the first time, we were able to associate teff seed extracts and teff consumption with positive effects on the composition and function of the gut microbiome, potentially explaining why the prevalence of dietary iron and zinc deficiencies in Ethiopia – although still significant – is lower than other neighboring African nations “.

Elad Tako, senior author of the study, associate professor of food sciences, Cornell University

Tako and his team conducted experiments in developing and using fertile eggs of the standard domestic chicken (Gallus gallus). The embryonic stage of Gallus gallus lasts 21 days, during which the embryo is surrounded by amniotic fluid (egg white), which is consumed naturally and orally by the embryo before hatching on day 21.

In the experiment, teff seed fiber extract was injected into the fertile amniotic fluid of Gallus gallus eggs, which consists mainly of water and short peptides, on day 17 of embryonic development. The amniotic fluid and the added nutrient solution are then consumed by the embryo by day 19 of embryonic incubation.

“Using this unique in vivo model and research approach, we are able to test how a candidate compound – in this case teff grain extract – or a solution affects the gastrointestinal tract, but also other systems or tissues. “Tako said. “We were able to confirm positive effects on gut microbiome and duodenal (small intestine) function and tissue morphology.”

Several important bacterial metabolic pathways have been enriched by teff extract, probably due to the high concentration of relative fibers of the grain, demonstrating an important bacterial-host interaction that contributes to the improvement of the physiological state of iron and zinc and to the functionality of the intestinal digestive system and absorbent surface.

“We are taking advantage of the embryonic stage as a unique in vivo model to evaluate the potential nutritional benefits of bioactive compounds of plant origin,” said Tako, who is guest editor of an upcoming special issue of Nutrients, “Alleviate dietary zinc deficiency and monitor poor physiological zinc status in sensitive populations.”