Abstract
Jerusalem artichokes contain high amounts of inulin, which is a prebiotic that supports digestive health, as well as a variety of insoluble fibers and caffeoylquinic acid. The individual impact of these components on gut microbiota is well known; however, the combinatorial effects are less clear. In this investigation, we fractionated Jerusalem artichokes into three parts (water-soluble extract, insoluble extract, and organic extract) and powdered them. Mice were fed a high-fat diet that included one or more of these extracts for 10 days, and then their cecal pH, cecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and fecal microbiota were evaluated. The combination of the water-soluble and organic extract decreased cecal pH and increased the concentration of SCFAs and led to dynamic changes in the composition of the gut microbiota. These results demonstrate that both the water-soluble and organic extracts in Jerusalem artichokes are bioactive substances that are capable of changing SCFA production and the composition of gut microbiota. Powdered Jerusalem artichokes, rather than inulin supplements, may be superior for promoting a healthy gut.
Highlights
There are nearly 40 trillion bacteria residing in the intestines of mammals, which comprise the microbiota
We investigated the effects of Jerusalem artichokes versus pure inulin on intestinal microbiota in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD), aiming to identify: (1) the effects of Jerusalem artichokes versus inulin on microbiota, (2) the effects of water-soluble versus insoluble dietary fiber on microbiota, and (3) the effects of organic extracts from Jerusalem artichokes on microbiota
We discovered that a HFD changed cecal pH and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) content when compared to a standard (EF) diet
Summary
There are nearly 40 trillion bacteria residing in the intestines of mammals, which comprise the microbiota. In an investigation that transplanted germ-free mice with feces from obese and lean mice, the recipients of the former became obese [3]. Other pathogenic bacteria, such as Fusobacterium and Fusobacterium nucleatum, have been observed in greater amounts among patients with colorectal cancer compared to healthy counterparts [4,5], and for patients with major depression, unusually high levels of Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria have been detected [6]. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are produced from the bacterial fermentation and degradation of resistant starches and dietary fibers [7], and they are known to suppress the growth of pathogenic bacteria by lowering intestinal pH, as well as help to regulate metabolism and the immune system [8]. Of the various SCFAs, acetic acid serves as an energy substrate for the liver, propionic acid participates in gluconeogenesis, and butyric acid promotes the induction of regulatory T-cells in the large intestine [9,10]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
