During this project the safety, tolerability and effect on gut microbiota of oral administration of Butyricicoccus pullicaecorum was investigated in healthy human volunteers by a placebo-controlled cross-over randomized study.

Intervention periods were 4 weeks, with daily intake of 1 capsule. Wash-out periods were 3 weeks.

Inclusion Criteria:

• BMI between 18 and 28 kg/m²
• Good general health
• Regular eating pattern (3 meals/day on at least 5 days/week)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Chronic gastrointestinal disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic constipation or chronic diarrhea)
• Surgery of the gastrointestinal tract (except for an appendectomy)
• Use of antibiotics during the month preceding the study
• Use of medication or dietary supplements influencing gut transit or intestinal microbiota during the month preceding the study. Examples of such medication/dietary supplements are antispasmodics (e.g. buscopan), antidiarrheal medication (e.g. imodium), probiotic medication (e.g. lacteol, enterol)
• Intake of pre- or probiotics during the study or during the month preceding the study
• Being on a weight-loss diet during the study or during the month preceding the study
• Extreme dietary habits (e.g. vegan, Atkins diet, Montignac diet)
• Females who are pregnant, lactating or planning to become pregnant during the study period