Development of Methods and Algorithms to Design Diets Based on Gut Microbiome Analysis
Phase: NA
Conditions: Obesity
Sponsor: Center of Food and Fermentation Technologies

 
Development of methods and algorithms for diet design based on gut microbiota analysis 
 
 
Study protocol 
 
 
Number of clinical trial: 1631 
Project number: NSP67 
 
Approved by Ethical Committe of National Institute for Health Development 
25.10.2016 
 
 
 

“Development of methods and algorithms for diet design based on gut microbiota analysis“ 
 
Study protocol 
General plan 
Time 
Activity 
 
Day 1, 2 … 31 
Food diary (at least 3 days before fecal sampling) 
Day 1 
Questionnaire about health conditions 
Day 4 and 32 
Faecal sampling, Bristol and bowel habit estimation 
Sending sample to the lab 
Weight measurement 
 
Activity plan 
1. Start keeping a food diary, 3 days before the first faecal sample is collected. Keep a diary (on 
paper, in a word processor, or in a web-based nutrition program) of everything you drove 
and drank during the day (including any breaks). 
2. Fill in the questionnaire (on paper, in a word processing program or online). 
3. On day 4 take a sample of the faeces using both the spoon method and the cotton swab 
method (instructions below). 
4. Send samples just after the sampling to the lab using the storage box placed in the sending 
box labelled with address. 
5. Start keeping the diet plan according to the instructions provided by the nutritionist. 
6. On day 32 take a sample of the faeces using both the spoon method and the cotton swab 
method (instructions below). 
7. Send samples just after the sampling to the lab using the storage box placed in the sending 
box labelled with address. 
 
Instruction for faecal sampling 
1. Use FecesCatcher for faecal sampling. 
2. Stick the FecesCatcher paper collector on the back of the toilet seat with self-adhesive edges 
(NB! Do not touch the waterline, see illustrated instruction on the separate sheet provided). 
3. Avoid getting urine (and water) in the FecesCatcher, as this can cause the paper to break. 
4. Collect the stool on paper so that it does not mix with urine. 
5. Evaluate the consistency of the faeces using the Bristol scale and the color of the faeces. 
Mark this on the attached sheet. 
6. Take a sample of the faeces using both 
a. the spoon method (follow the detailed instructions provided on the separate sheet)  
 
 

b. the cotton swab method (follow the detailed instructions provided on the separate 
sheet) 
 
7. After sampling, release the FecesCatcher from the toilet seat, press the edges together, and 
allow them to fall into the pot and flush down 
8. Video instruction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsAyURaBKv0