Profile of Bacteria and Short Chain Fatty Acids of Caecal Digesta in Malnourished Rat Fed Goat Milk Yoghurt

Abstract

The intestinal microbiota is an important determinant for general health of the human body, and disturbance of the proper balance of microbiota is involved in several pathologies. The profile of gastrointestinal microbiota can be influenced by nutritional factors and or health status of individuals. This study aimed to determine the effect of goat milk yogurt on the profile of caecal bacteria and short chain fatty acid (SCFA) in malnourished rats. Yoghurt was prepared by using of pasteurized goat milk with adding the Lacto-B powder containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, Sterptococcus thermophilus and Bifidobacterium longum. Male malnourished Wistar rats 3 weeks old were created using standard feed restriction up to 50% of normal rats for 21 d. After 21 d, the rats continued to restricted feeding and supplemented with goat milk yoghurt for 7 d. The rats were killed and analyzed the profile of caecal bacteria and SCFA. There were no significantly differences in the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and bifidobacteria in both of caecal digesta of malnourished or normal rats fed yoghurt and control rats. However, the amount of E. coli was higher in malnourished rats than the normal rats. The acetic acid of caecal digesta was lower in the rats fed goat milk yoghurt than the control rats, whereas the butyric acid was higher in the caecal digesta of normal rats compared to the malnourished rats. The pH and moisture of caecal digesta in rats fed yoghurt were not significantly different from the control. In conclusion, goat milk yoghurt supplemented up to 2.0 ml/100 g body weight for 7 d had no effect on profile of caecal bacteria and physical properties and could not increase of caecal SCFA in malnourished and normal rats. Malnourished condition could increase the number of E. coli, decrease the butyric acid and weight of caecal.