In vitro colon model was first applied in an inter-laboratory dietary fibre (DF) fermentation study and adapted at VTT for whole foods and beverages, isolated dietary phenolic compounds and pharmaceuticals. The application of the models includes strict anaerobiosis, which ensures active anaerobic microbial community. Pooling of faecal samples from several donors ensures reproducibility between the experiments. The correlation of in vitro data with in vivo data is quantitatively challenging, but is qualitatively highly relevant. In this chapter we explain the applicability of the one compartment fermentation model, including the general protocol as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the system.
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