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TIM - an artificial gut

TIM (TNO Intestinal Model) is an artificial gut that mimics the conditions in the human stomach. We use TIM to test the survival of bacteria and choose the best probiotics for your probiotic product.

The best survival rates

Technology in combination with the science of probiotics is what we use at Chr. Hansen to produce the best possible probiotic products. TIM - an artificial gut - is an important piece of technology for us. 

TIM enables us to choose the formulation that secures the best survival rate of the probiotic bacteria in your product - in that way, we can give you a probiotic product with the best documented effect.

A shortcut to knowledge

TIM has been developed by TNO in the Netherlands, using extensive knowledge of how the gut functions.

Being a model of the human stomach, TIM mimics the conditions in the stomach and small intestine - both chemical reactions and peristaltic movements. This allows us to test the survival of probiotic bacteria when affected by things like acid and bile. 

Watch the video, featuring Research Technician Enikö Fodor Hansen and learn how we feed TIM and take samples for CFU count (colony forming units) analysis.