454 Pyrosequencing reveals a beneficial shift in fecal microbiota of healthy adult men consuming polydextrose or soluble corn fiber

Abstract

The objective of the study was to test the impact of polydextrose and soluble corn fiber on the composition of the human gut microbiota using 454 pyrosequencing. Healthy adult males (n = 20) were enrolled in a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled crossover study. Subjects consumed 3 treatments (snack bars) containing either no supplemental fiber (NFC), polydextrose (PDX; 21 g/d), or soluble corn fiber (SCF; 21 g/d) for 21 days. Fecal samples were collected on day 16–21; DNA was extracted, followed by amplification of the V4–V6 region of the 16S rRNA gene for 454 pyrosequencing. The consumption of PDX and SCF led to an increase (P<0.05) in the families of Clostridiaceae and Veillonellaceae, and a decrease in Eubacteriaceae. The abundance of Faecalibacterium, Phascolarctobacterium, and Dialister was increased (P<0.05) in response to PDX and SCF intake, whereas Lactobacillus was higher (P<0.05) only after SCF intake. In contrast, PDX and SCF intake led to a decrease (P<0.05) in Eubacterium, Ruminococcus, and Bifidobacterium. Faecalibacterium prausnitzii was increased (P<0.05) by consumption of both fibers. The principal component analysis clearly indicated distinct clustering of individuals consuming novel fibers as compared to those consuming NFC. In conclusion, data demonstrated a beneficial shift in the gut microbiome of adults consuming PDX and SCF.Grant Funding Source: General Mills, Inc., Minneapolis, MN