Since postbiotics are an emerging area globally with few published science-based studies, PepsiCo is looking to develop or adapt existing methodologies and validation protocols to support the functional gut health claims of various postbiotics. We are looking to determine and validate if our plant-based fermentation produces known postbiotics that deliver gut health functional benefits. Specifically, gut health benefits related to increased digestibility and positive modulation of the microbiome. We are looking to develop postbiotics from plant-based fermentations, specifically oat, rice, bean, and potato-based fermentations, using organisms such as lactic acid bacteria, yeast, and/or potentially fungi to deliver benefits to gut health. PepsiCo will supply the plant-based fermented samples for evaluations for postbiotics through analytical assays and/or functional based in vitro models.

• We are scouting for differentiated methodologies, technologies, and/or model systems to address the challenges below:
• Screening methodologies to identify postbiotics that deliver gut health benefits focused on increased digestibility and support of “good” bacteria in the microbiome.
• Either established or new component identification and screening methodologies for pre-validation, validation, and monitoring of postbiotic production during fermentation (inanimate cells, cellular structures, or metabolite).
• Strategies to establish pre-clinical studies for postbiotic gut health functionality (increased digestibility and microbiome modulation) and functionality testing (analytical testing, in vitro models, etc.). The models used must be non-animal models.
• Fermentation monitoring strategies to ensure batch to batch postbiotic production consistency during fermentation scale-up. Quick turnaround methods to ensure consistent postbiotic production from fermentation batch to batch.