The health food market targeting gut health and intestinal flora is shifting focus from lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria to “beneficial substances produced by bacteria = postbiotics,” driven by heightened consumer awareness. Among these, Shor-Chain Fatty Acid (SCFA) is increasing attention, especially “Butyric acid” is accumulating the clinical evidence.

▶︎ Primary energy source for intestinal epithelial cells
▶︎ Maintaining the intestinal barrier
▶︎ Immune Modulation and Inflammation Control
▶︎ Central Messengers of the Gut-Brain Axis, Gut-Kidney Axis, Gut-Bladder Axis, and Gut-Skin Axis

Demand for “butyrate supplements” is already growing in overseas markets. The adoption of butyrate/calcium butyrate ingredients is becoming a key factor for creating the “next level of differentiation” within the established gut health category, positioning it as a “next-generation gut health” material.

◎Processed food containing calcium butyrate with a butyric acid content of 35% or more
This functional ingredient is designed to deliver calcium butyrate to the intestines. ButiShield^TM microencapsulates calcium butyrate using Kemin's proprietary MicroPEARLS® technology. This raw material suppresses the strong odor characteristic of butyric acid and enables it to be handled as a stable powder.

◎The concept of delivering “butyric acid itself” to the gut, rather than “butyric acid bacteria”
Butyrate production by butyrate-producing bacteria is known to be challenging in terms of functional stability, as it depends on dietary fiber intake and bacterial colonization. ButiShield^TM solves this issue by directly delivering butyrate itself to where it is needed—the large intestine.

The most important thing when you choose butyric acid raw material is if butyric acid can reach the intestines. Butyric acid has possibility to break down before reaches the intestines, because it is weak to stomach acid and digestive enzymes. In other words, no matter how much butyric acid is added, it cannot deliver the expected functionality unless it reaches the intestines. Therefore, ButiShield^TM is an ingredient designed with the primary goal of delivering calcium butyrate to the intestines. This “reaches the intestines” technology is the outstanding sales point to other butyric acid/butyrate. Incidentally, this issue was resolved by the triple design of “odor masking × non-dissolution in the stomach × sustained release in the digestive tract” achieved through the MicroPEARLS^® technology used in ButiShield^TM manufacturing.

◎ Internal data
▶︎ Simulated Gastric Fluid（pH<2）：Almost no elution.
▶︎ Simulated intestinal fluid（around pH7）： slowly elute
▶︎ in vivo：Absorption occurs at a later time than regular calcium butyrate → Suggesting action in the large intestine

◎ Development Benefits
▶︎ Clear keywords such as “Butyric acid”, “Short-Chain Fatty Acid” and “Butyric acid that reaches intestine” are effective for market differentiation.
▶︎ Clear appeal points in sales and marketing make it easy to build a brand story.
▶︎ High affinity with cutting-edge themes such as postbiotics and the gut-organ axis.

Butyric acid has scientifically substantiated multifaceted effects on both the gut and the entire body. It is not merely a material for gut flora; its mechanisms of action have been academically elucidated.

◎ Energy source of intestine
▶︎ It serves as the primary energy source for colonic epithelial cells and contributes to maintaining the homeostasis of the intestinal mucosa.

◎ Strengthening the intestinal barrier
▶︎ It has been reported to support barrier function by improving leaky gut and maintaining tight junctions.

◎ Immune Modulation
▶︎ Signal transduction via FAR2/3, GPR109A, and others contributes to the regulation of inflammatory and immune responses.

◎ Gut-Brain Axis
▶︎ It has been shown to influence the gut-brain axis through mechanisms such as serotonin production (via TPH1) and the promotion of GLP-1 and PYY secretion.

◎ Gut-Kidney Axis
▶︎ Through mechanisms such as HDAC inhibition and FFAR2 signaling, suppression of inflammation and inhibition of calcium oxalate kidney stone formation have been reported in animal models and other studies.

◎ Gut-bladder axis
▶︎ It is suggested that it contributes to urinary tract health through mechanisms such as urinary pH adjustment, mucosal immune regulation, and anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

Gastrointestinal symptoms observed in clinical trials using ButiShield^TM are strongly associated with the gut-brain axis. Considering the cellular signaling effects of butyrate (such as FFAR2/3 activation, HDAC inhibition, and TPH1 increase), this finding is highly consistent with its mechanism of action.

◎ Study design
▶︎ Subjects: 20 healthy adults aged 18-60 with mild indigestion
▶︎ Dosage: ButiShield^TM 600 mg/day (equivalent to 210 mg/day of butyrate)
▶︎ Duration: 6 weeks
▶︎ Assessment: GSRS (Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale), QOL, Bowel Habits

◎ Results
▶︎ Integrated score, abdominal pain, indigestion, constipation, and reflux showed significant improvement.
▶︎ Significant improvement was observed in many indicators starting from the 8th day.
▶︎ Digestive-related quality of life also improved.

① Clear and compelling appeal
▶︎ The key messages “Butyrate that reaches the intestines” and “Short-chain fatty acids: Butyrate” have high appeal in products, web content, and sales pitches.

② Stable quality (butyric acid content 35% or higher)
▶︎ Standardized calcium butyrate material enables supply with minimal variation between lots.

③ High reliability
▶︎ No serious adverse effects have been reported in clinical trials where 4,000 mg/day of butyrate was administered for 8 weeks.
▶︎ Halal, Kosher, Non-GMO, Allergen-Free compliant.
▶︎ Clinical trial evidence available using ButiShield^TM.

④ We can propose raw materials with an excellent QCD balance
▶︎ Raw material design that balances quality, cost, and delivery ensures both stable supply and ease of product development.

As the gut health market advances to its next stage, ButiShield^TM—which reliably delivers postbiotics and butyrate to the gut—is an ingredient pioneering a new functional category.

▶︎ Butyric acid is a short-chain fatty acid deeply involved in the health of the gut and the entire body.
▶︎ ButiShield^TM is an ingredient developed to deliver butyrate to the gut.
▶︎ Solves odor issues, does not dissolve in the stomach, and releases slowly in the large intestine.
▶︎ Clinical trials showed significant improvement in indigestion, abdominal pain, constipation, and reflux.
▶︎ Covers cutting-edge topics such as the gut-brain axis, gut-kidney axis, and gut-bladder axis.
▶︎ Contributing to differentiation with the clear appeal of “butyrate that reaches the intestines”

Product categories promoting gut health improvement are expected to see further growth. Among these, “butyrate” is an appealing ingredient that is easy for consumers to understand and has scientific backing.
ButiShield^TM is designed with a balance of high quality and cost performance in mind. With a stable supply system, we can flexibly accommodate your production plans. We also offer OEM supply in addition to raw material sales, so please feel free to contact us for consultation.