SCOBY papaya beverages induce gut microbiome interaction as potential antiobesity in weight management control supplement-siftdesk

The prevalence of obese populace is one of the major health concerns worldwide and had caused an economic burden to government and increased consumption of medical resources. In this study, we have developed new fermented papaya beverages using selected symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY) under controlled biofermentation process. Two-months treatment on high fat diet-induced obese mice with SCOBY papaya beverages showed a remarkable body weight loss of 21.3% (SCOBY papaya leaves) and 23.4% (SCOBY papaya pulp), significantly higher than commercial anti-obesity drug, Orlistat (11.3%). Further investigation on blood glucose profile of all mice groups revealed a healthy level of blood glucose. Haematology analysis of obese mice fed with SCOBY papaya beverages demonstrated no adverse effect. Findings from quantitative PCR (qPCR) technique have disclosed anti-obesity mechanism of SCOBY papaya beverages. The 16S rRNA metagenomics sequencing analysis confirmed that gut microbiome of high fat diet-induced mice treated with individual SCOBY papaya beverage showed an increase in beneficial gut microbe abundances, particularly Bifidobacterium, Faecalibaculum, Akkermansia, Lactobacillus and Bacteroides. Comprehensive evidence findings indicated great potential of SCOBY papaya beverages as a functional drink therapy in weight management control and assist in improving gut microbiome of obese mice to healthier state.