General description of the Environmental Control System for Intestinal Microbiota (ECSIM) systems

To complete ECSIM systems in-vitro, we have developed our own infrastructure to simulate the human colon, with the goal of having a modular system for maintaining a human microbiota in similar environmental conditions to those encountered physiologic

This system was developed with the technical support of Global Process Concept.

It consists of three bioreactors which can operate independently, but also may be associated. It is possible to supply each bioreactor with an identical nutritive medium from a unique tank or to supply each with a different medium.

The usual medium faithfully replicates the contents of the terminal ileum from an individual with a Western diet, as described by several groups. This basal medium is shown in Table 1.

If required, it can be modified to simulate other systems or to simulate specific cases, such as the uptake of prebiotics, the excessive presence of protein residues due to poor hydrolysis/absorption in the anterior parts, or an excess of bile acids.