Distinct Effects of Milks From Various Animal Types on Infant Fecal Microbiota Through in vitro Fermentations

Na Li,Smith Etareri Evivie,Li Zhao,Jialu Shi,Jiaqi Guan,Bailiang Li,Guicheng Huo,Song Wang

doi:10.3389/fmicb.2020.580931

Na Li, Smith Etareri Evivie + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2020.580931

Copy DOI

Abstract

Human milk is compatible with infant intestinal microbiota and is vital for infant health. However, most infants do not receive sufficient exclusive breastfeeding, and the effects of including other types of animal milk on the gut microbiota of infants are unclear. Therefore, the objective of this study was to elucidate the impact of milk from various animal sources on infant fecal microbiota through in vitro fermentation. The types of milk assessed include cow milk, goat milk, camel milk, mare milk, human milk, and infant formula milk. Here we determined the gas pressure, pH, and microbiota after 24 h fermentation. Results showed that mare milk had the lowest gas pressure rating, with levels similar to human milk. More so, pH analysis demonstrated that other milk types were identical to human milk. Bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that all milk types increased the abundance of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, which was proportional to the lactose content of milk. Moreover, mare milk also significantly increased the relative abundance of Akkermansia. Collectively, results from mare milk (gas pressure, pH, and microbiota) were comparable to that of human milk, and thus support the theoretical basis for exploring the development of a mare milk-based infant formula.

Highlights

Milk is an essential food for infants, especially human milk, which is rich in protein, fat, lactose, and a variety of vitamins
Infant formula powder USH, and goat milk were higher in fat than different milk types
The different origin of these animal milk maybe affects their main parts, our results showed that the main components of cow milk, goat milk, camel milk, and mare milk were more consistent with those reported by Young W

Summary

Introduction

Milk is an essential food for infants, especially human milk, which is rich in protein, fat, lactose, and a variety of vitamins. As compared to non-breast milk-fed or formula-fed infants, human milk is highly effective against diarrhea morbidity and mortality (Lamberti et al, 2011) and decreases symptoms of asthma (Klopp et al, 2017), inflammatory bowel disease (Xu et al, 2017), and obesity (Forbes et al, 2018). Some posit that human milk exerts these desirable properties in part because of its effects on infant intestinal microbiota. The breastfeeding rate is around 37%, but in China, it is barely 20.8%, and this is currently on the decline. When breastfeeding is inadequate or impossible, safe and nutritious substitutes must serve as replacements.

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion