Food scientists shortlisted in Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards
Food scientists Dr John Butcher and Dr Ryan Kean have been shortlisted for Innovation of the Year in the prestigious Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards 2023 for their collaborative work with a prebiotic company.
Glasgow Caledonian University and The Prebiotic Company were revealed as finalists for collaborating on a study to prove the health benefits of prebiotic fibre-infused water, and its impact on improving cardiovascular health, mood, sleep and reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes and colorectal cancer.
They are among 22 nominees shortlisted in the eighth Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards. The showcase of impactful collaborations and individuals highlights the remarkable achievements which have the potential to create positive change in Scotland and beyond.
Dr Butcher and Dr Kean, who are lecturers in the School of Health and Life Sciences' Biological and Biomedical Sciences Department and key researchers in the Research Centre for Health (ReaCH), are delighted at the news.
Dr Butcher said: “These awards are a celebration of the innovations driven by Scottish businesses and Universities. We’re delighted that our partnership has been shortlisted for the Innovation of the Year award. It’s been a fantastic collaboration.”
They will find out if they have won the Innovation of the Year award at the Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards, the annual celebration of business-academic partnerships hosted by Interface in Dundee, on Thursday, 23 March.
The Prebiotic Company Co-founder and Head of Partnerships and Business Development, Alyssa Reid, said: “We are delighted and honoured to be nominated for this prestigious award with Glasgow Caledonian University.
“The findings of our study proved the significant impact ió fibrewater could have on millions of people's health and well-being.”
The journey began after the researchers were awarded funding from the Scottish Funding Council to investigate the prebiotic properties of ió fibrewater, produced by Edinburgh-based The Prebiotic Company.
The study showed that ió fibrewater significantly increases probiotic microbes Saccharomyces boulardii and Bacillus coagulans in 48 hours when compared to regular flavoured water.
The term 'prebiotic' refers to the special and essential type of food that our body's friendly gut microbes (probiotics) need to flourish and grow. They are the cornerstone of gut health and provide nutrients and energy for probiotics.
Prebiotics are widely researched and are scientifically proven to support gut health, sleep, mood, weight management and stable blood sugar, in addition to lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease and colorectal cancer.
Dr Butcher said: "The food science research team at Glasgow Caledonian University has had a long-standing interest in gut health and the impact of the gut microbiota on general health and wellbeing.
"We were really excited to investigate the prebiotic properties of ió fibrewater by researching the effect of this formulation on traditional and novel probiotic bacteria and yeasts.”
The Prebiotic Company said ió fibrewater delivers 100% of the daily recommended prebiotics intake and is made with a proprietary blend of soluble fibres that includes prebiotic chicory root fibre (inulin).