Abstract
Health benefits of dietary fibers are currently being widely recognized. However, the assessment of dietary fiber as a prebiotic is essential and also important for the development of an improved synbiotic commercial preparation. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of galactomannan extracted from fenugreek seeds as a prebiotic fiber and also its fermentation by the probiotic strain Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856. Nondigestibility by the gastric acid and pancreatic enzyme hydrolysis of galactomannan were determined using an in vitro model mimicking the in vivo conditions. Further, anaerobic fermentation and utilization of galactomannan by the B. coagulans MTCC 5856 was investigated followed by selective inhibition of Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. The galactomannan from fenugreek seeds was found to be nondigestible to gastric acid and also to pancreatic enzymatic hydrolysis. The galactomannan was fermented and utilized (71.4%) by the B. coagulans MTCC 5856, and also significant amount of short‐chain fatty acids production was also observed. Furthermore, B. coagulans MTCC 5856 inhibited the E. coli ATCC 25922 growth when cocultured with galactomannan suggesting competitive fermentation of probiotic bacteria. Galactomannan exhibited prebiotic activity and also showed suitability with probiotic B. coagulans MTCC 5856 in a synbiotic combination. This study provides the first scientific evidence of galactomannan from fenugreek seeds as a prebiotic that may play an important role in modulating gut flora by acting as substrate to beneficial microbes.
Highlights
The term “prebiotics” was named by Gibson and Roberfroid in 1995 and defined as nondigestible fiber in the upper gastrointestinal tract which can enhance the growth or activity of advantageous bacteria of large bowel by acting as substrate for them (Gibson & Roberfroid, 1995)
B. coagulans Microbial Type Culture Collection and Gene Bank (MTCC) 5856 inhibited the E. coli ATCC 25922 growth when cocultured with galactomannan suggesting competitive fermentation of probiotic bacteria
This study provides the first scientific evidence of galactomannan from fenugreek seeds as a prebiotic that may play an important role in modulating gut flora by acting as substrate to beneficial microbes
Summary
The term “prebiotics” was named by Gibson and Roberfroid in 1995 and defined as nondigestible fiber in the upper gastrointestinal tract which can enhance the growth or activity of advantageous bacteria of large bowel by acting as substrate for them (Gibson & Roberfroid, 1995). Marcel Roberfroid in 2007 proposed that the prebiotics can be defined as “a selectively fermented ingredient that allows specific changes, both in the composition and/or activity in the gastrointestinal microflora that confers benefits upon host well-being and health”. Hutkins et al in 2016 defined prebiotics as “food ingredients that help support growth of probiotic bacteria” or “nondigestible substances that act as food for the gut microbiota” (Hutkins et al, 2016). Prebiotics confer the benefits by supporting the growth of probiotics in the colon by serving as a substrate. The major SCFAs produced during prebiotics fermentation are acetic, propionic and butyric acids as end products (Pylkas, Juneja, & Slavin, 2005). Literature suggested that SCFAs have potential role in the human health as an energy source and inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria by decreasing the colonic pH (Pylkas et al, 2005)
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