Two new studies suggest that Csat, a proprietary carob extract from Pharmactive Biotech Products, could support satiety by stimulating the production of GLP-1 and cholecystokinin (CCK).
The research found that the standardised Ceratonia siliqua L. extract, which is rich in fibres and polyphenols including galactomannans, inositols and gallic acid, could influence the gut microbiome and increase short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, alongside boosting GLP-1 and CCK release in an in vitro model.
The findings suggest Csat's combination of carob-derived compounds could have potential applications in weight management, metabolic health and appetite regulation, although clinical research is needed to determine whether the effects translate to humans.
“Historically, in Spain during the 1930s and 1940s, when cocoa was scarce, people turned to carob for its cocoa-like flavour and aroma,” said Carlos Rodríguez, Communications Manager at Pharmactive.
“Since then, carob has been considered a natural alternative to chocolate. But research into this ancient fruit reveals that it has so much more to offer."
Carob is naturally rich in nutrients and compounds that support gut health and we are now uncovering its potential in weight management, blood sugar balance and microbiome support.
Carob extract increases GLP-1 and supports gut microbiome activity
The first study — published in Bioscience — compared Csat with a control medium and two individual carob fractions: a galactomannan-rich seed fraction and a pulp extract.
At 24 and 48 hours, Csat had the strongest effect on microbial activity, producing the highest amounts of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs): acetate, propionate and butyrate.
These SCFAs are metabolites produced when beneficial gut bacteria break down fibre.
They can tighten intestinal cell junctions and stimulate protective mucus production to block pathogens and toxins, as well as activate receptors that reduce inflammation and balance blood sugar.
Importantly, these receptors also stimulate the production of satiety hormones such as GLP-1, which signals fullness to the brain and slows down gastric emptying.
Pharmactive said Csat's whole-fruit approach, combining galactomannans with pulp extract, supports both primary (Bacteroides) and secondary (Anaerostipes and Blautia) bacteria fermenters, boosting SCFA production more than any single element on its own.
The second trial — published in the Journal of Functional Foods — tested Csat in an in vitro digestion model using intestinal cells.
It found that Csat increased both GLP-1 and CCK release, which are key regulators of satiety and the postprandial response.
CCK slows the rate at which food leaves the stomach, allowing nutrients to be absorbed properly and also signals fullness to the brain.
Why this matters
Modulating the gut microbiota has been gaining consumer attention as a promising strategy to support metabolic health and appetite regulation, particularly amid the growing prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome.
Csat has already shown these metabolic effects in animal studies, but this new research can now show a direct influence on human gut microbiota and SCFA production in an in vitro model.
GLP-1 has been hailed for its role in enhancing glucose-dependent insulin secretion, delaying gastric emptying and reducing food intake, while CCK acts via an alternate neural pathway, signalling the vagus nerve to send fullness signals from the gut to the brain.
“This study represents the first evidence that standardised carob-derived compounds can modulate the intestinal flora and stimulate GLP-1 and CCK secretion in an enteroendocrine in vitro model,” said Dr Iván Benito-Vázquez, the lead researcher of the studies.
"The encouraging results call for a follow-up clinical trial to confirm whether these positive outcomes are replicated in humans.”
Csat stands apart as a carob formulation. Unlike isolated carob fractions, Csat is a fully characterised and standardised formulation integrating multiple bioactive components under controlled manufacturing conditions.
"This compositional precision helps deliver reproducible functional outcomes.”
