Potato Protein-Based Vegan Burgers - Discovering the Health-Promoting Benefits and Impact on the Intestinal Microbiome

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Aran

Growing interest in plant-based diets is driving development of meat analogs that mimic traditional products while supporting health. This study evaluates potato protein-based vegan burgers (PBBs) enriched with plant-derived iron and fiber, using in vitro gastrointestinal digestion, cytotoxicity testing on intestinal cancer cell lines and normal colon epithelial cells, and assessment of effects on intestinal microbiota and β-glucosidase/β-glucuronidase activity. PBBs show favorable nutrition and selective cancer-cell cytotoxicity with safety for normal cells, promote beneficial genera, reduce potentially harmful Enterobacteriaceae, and lower β-glucuronidase activity, indicating functional gut-health potential.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages15

Reading Time38 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

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Article Potato Protein-Based Vegan Burgers: Discovering the Health-Promoting Benefits and Impact on the Intestinal Microbiome Przemysław Łukasz Kowalczewski 1, *,†, Małgorzata Gumienna 2,†, Paweł Jeowski 3, Michał ´Swi ˛atek 4, Barbara Górna-Szweda 2, Iga Rybicka 5, Millena Ruszkowska 6, Maciej Ireneusz Kluz 1,7 and Matteo Bordiga 8 Academic Editor: Kai Wang Received: 21 November 2025 Revised: 16 December 2025 Accepted: 23 December 2025 Published: 3 January 2026 Copyright: © 2026 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license. 1 Collegium Medicum, Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski Krakow University, 30-705 Kraków, Poland; [mkluz@uafm.edu.pl](mkluz@uafm.edu.pl) 2 Department of Food Technology of Plant Origin, Pozna ´n University of Life Sciences, 60-624 Pozna ´n, Poland; [malgorzata.gumienna@up.poznan.pl](malgorzata.gumienna@up.poznan.pl) (M.G.); [barbara.gorna@up.poznan.pl](barbara.gorna@up.poznan.pl) (B.G.-S.) 3 Institute of Chemistry and Technical Electrochemistry, Poznan University of Technology, 60-965 Pozna ´n, Poland; [pawel.jezowski@put.poznan.pl](pawel.jezowski@put.poznan.pl) 4 Ekosystem-Nature’s Heritage Association, Institute of Microbial Technologies, 62-700 Turek, Poland; [michal.swiatek@itm.turek.pl](michal.swiatek@itm.turek.pl) 5 Department of Technology and Instrumental Analysis, Pozna ´n University of Economics and Business, 61-875 Pozna ´n, Poland; [iga.rybicka@ue.poznan.pl](iga.rybicka@ue.poznan.pl) 6 Department of Quality Management, Gdynia Maritime University, 81-225 Gdynia, Poland; [m.ruszkowska@wznj.umg.edu.pl](m.ruszkowska@wznj.umg.edu.pl) 7 School of Medical and Health Sciences, Vizja University, 01-043 Warszawa, Poland 8 Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale “A. Avogadro”, Largo Donegani 2, 28100 Novara, Italy; [matteo.bordiga@uniupo.it](matteo.bordiga@uniupo.it) * [Correspondence: pkowalczewski@uafm.edu.pl](Correspondence: pkowalczewski@uafm.edu.pl)[ ](Correspondence: pkowalczewski@uafm.edu.pl)† These authors contributed equally to this work. Abstract Introduction: The increasing global interest in plant-based diets has led to the development of innovative meat analogs that not only mimic the sensory properties of traditional products but may also offer potential health benefits. In this study, we investigated the nutritional characteristics and biological activity of potato protein-based vegan burgers (PBBs) enriched with plant-derived iron and fiber sources. Methods: The burgers were subjected to in vitro gastrointestinal digestion, followed by evaluation of their cytotoxic potential against human intestinal cancer cell lines (Caco-2 and HT-29) and normal colon epithelial cells (CCD 841 CoN) . Additionally, their influence on the intestinal microbiota composition and enzymatic activity of β-glucosidase and β-glucuronidase was assessed. Results: PBBs demonstrated favorable nutritional profiles, high protein and fiber contents, and a balanced fatty acid ratio (n-6/n-3) . After digestion, bioaccessible fractions showed selective cytotoxicity toward cancer cells, while maintaining safety for normal intestinal cells. Furthermore, PBBs modulated the gut microbiota by promoting the growth of beneficial genera (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium) and reducing potentially harmful Enterobacteriaceae, accompanied by decreased β-glucuronidase activity. Conclusions: These findings suggest that potato protein-based burgers could represent a functional plant-based alternative to conventional meat products, contributing to intestinal health and potentially reducing colorectal cancer risk. Keywords: potato protein; plant-based burger; intestinal microbiota; cytotoxicity;β-glucuronidase; vegan meat analogues; gut health 1. Introduction In recent years, the global market for plant-based products has ex

FAQs

What gut-microbiota effects did PBBs show after digestion?

PBBs promoted growth of beneficial genera such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium while reducing potentially harmful Enterobacteriaceae, alongside decreased β-glucuronidase activity.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Aran