Artificial digestion

Artificial digestion is a laboratory technique that reduces food to protein, fat, carbohydrates, fiber, minerals, vitamins, and non-nutrient compounds for analytical or research purposes. Digestive agents such as pepsin and hydrochloric acid are typically used to accomplish artificial digestion.

Meat inspection

Artificial digestion is used to detect the presence of encysted trichinella larvae in suspected muscle tissue. Prior to this method, a sample of muscle tissue was compressed to visually express the encysted parasite. Using artificial digestion, meat samples are dissolved by a digestive solution and the remains are examined for the presence of larvae.^[1]^[2]

Digestion research

Artificial stomach and small intestine models are used instead of laboratory animals or human test subjects. Various models, from static one-compartment to dynamic multicompartment, exist. These models are used to study food digestion and subsequent bioavailability.^[3]

References

^ Ribicich M, Gamble HR, Rosa A, Bolpe J, Franco A (September 2005). "Trichinellosis in Argentina: an historical review". Vet Parasitol. 132 (1–2): 137–42. doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2005.05.042. PMID 16011875.
^ Djordjevic M, Cuperlovic K, Savic M, Pavlovic S (September 2005). "The need for implementation of International Commission on Trichinellosis recommendations, quality assurance standards, and proficiency sample programs in meat inspection for trichinellosis in Serbia". Vet Parasitol. 132 (1–2): 185–8. doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2005.05.053. PMID 15993543.
^ Guerra A, Etienne-Mesmin L, Livrelli V, Denis S, Blanquet-Diot S, Alric M (November 2012). "Relevance and challenges in modeling human gastric and small intestinal digestion". Trends Biotechnol. 30 (11): 591–600. doi:10.1016/j.tibtech.2012.08.001. PMID 22974839.