Data published in Gut Microbes Reports indicated that 12 weeks of supplementation with the Saanroo’s Trpti-branded OEA also reduced markers of inflammation and improved measures of gut barrier function.

The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial included 44 adults with obesity who were randomly assigned to receive either 300 mg per day of Trpti or placebo.

“These findings indicate OEA supplementation selectively enriches beneficial gut bacteria—particularly A. muciniphila, while improving gut barrier biomarkers and immune function without disrupting microbiome stability,” wrote scientists from Central Queensland University and the University of Queensland in Australia.

A. muciniphila is a Gram-negative, anaerobic bacterium that colonizes the gut during the first year of life. The bug reportedly accounts for about 3% of the human gut microbiota, and its abundance in the intestinal mucus layer is inversely correlated with BMI, type 1 diabetes and bowel disease in humans.

Akkermansia is known to produce nutrients that feed intestinal cells responsible for producing the intestinal mucus layer, which helps to maintain healthy intestinal barrier function and controls gut permeability and low-grade inflammation in the gut.

OEA and Akkermansia

Gencor—which subsequently spun out its nutraceutical division as Saanroo in October 2025—launched its Trpti-branded OEA at Expo West in 2025. OEA is a fatty acid amide produced by the body. It has been reported to control microbiome health, inflammation, glucose and lipid synthesis, satiety and weight management.

“This study demonstrates that supplementation with Trpti, Saanroo’s bioavailable form of OEA, helps maintain a healthy microbiome,” Ramasamy Venkatesh, managing director at Gencor Pacific, told NutraIngredients.

“Trpti supplementation showed enrichment of beneficial species, notably Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, linked to improved gut barrier function, metabolic health, and anti-inflammatory activity. Trpti supplementation promoted a more favorable gut microbiome signature and microbial functional capacity, with trends toward modest metabolic benefits, while maintaining safety and tolerability.”

Study details

The Queensland-based scientists randomly assigned 57 obese adults between the ages of 23 and 64 to receive either the Trpti supplements or placebo for 12 weeks.

Data from the 44 participants who completed the study revealed that, while overall microbial diversity remained stable, OEA supplementation was associated with enrichment in F. prausnitzii (1.31% increase) and A. muciniphila (0.53% increase).

“Both F. prausnitzii and A. muciniphila are recognized as beneficial microbes with established roles in intestinal and metabolic health, particularly for their anti-inflammatory properties and contributions to maintaining mucosal integrity,” the researchers wrote. “The higher relative abundance of these taxa in the OEA group may therefore reflect a shift toward a more eubiotic and metabolically favorable microbial profile. In contrast, the placebo group showed no significant changes in microbial composition or immune markers, suggesting that the observed effects were specific to OEA.”

These changes coincided with increases in levels of occludin, a protein that plays a critical role in cellular tight junctions and barrier function. Increases in levels of the immune cytokine interleukin-2 and decreases in levels of the pro-inflammatory interleukin-1β were also recorded.

“Functional metagenomics indicated enhanced antioxidant, redox and amino acid metabolism pathways, supporting targeted improvements in gut homeostasis rather than broad microbial shifts,” the researchers added. “These effects were specific, with most inflammatory and metabolic markers unchanged, highlighting a focused mechanism of action.”

The called for further research to elucidate the mechanism(s) of action and explore potential dose–response relationships and personal variability.

Source: Gut Microbes Reports. 2026, 3(1). doi: 10.1080/29933935.2026.2622259. “Oleoylethanolamide supplementation enriches Akkermansia muciniphila and modulates intestinal barrier function in adults with obesity: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial”. Authors: R. Batacan, et al.