Physicochemical properties of Gut³Gel

Gut³Gel displays a gradient structure with a stiffer, densely crosslinked region, and a softer, less crosslinked region, reflecting the attached and loose layers of native colonic mucus, respectively.

The gradient in crosslinking density is linked to a progressive decrease in oxygen tension, starting from air oxygen tension (~220 µmol.L-1) at the Gut³Gel surface and reaching a minimum oxygen tension of 120 µmol.L-1 at deeper layers

The gel-like structure was validated by an average conservative modulus (G’) of about 500 Pa and a dissipative modulus (G’’) of about 80 Pa across the full range of tested frequencies.