Separation and Probiotic Effect of Fructose with Different Polymerization Degrees in Inulin

Mengcheng Ruan,Jiale Yu,Mengjun Cheng,Hualin Wang,Zhiguo Liu,Tingting Wu,Z.B Xu,J.Y Liu,D.Q Chen

doi:10.1051/e3sconf/201913101016

Abstract

Inulin is a natural fructose polymer that can be used as a fat substitute in foods such as dairy products and bakery products and is often added to food products due to its effect on the regulation of intestinal flora (also known as the prebiotic effect). However, there are few studies exploring whether there are functional differences between fructose species with different degrees of polymerization (DP). Therefore, we focused on the separation of fructose species with different DP and their different effects on the balance of intestinal flora. First, the fractional precipitation method was used to separate short-chain inulin (DP:2-9), medium-chain inulin (DP:10-23), and long-chain inulin (DP:23 and above). Then, male C57BL/6 mice were randomly distributed into four groups and fed with a high-fat diet(HFD), a high-fat diet with added short-chain inulin(SCI), a high-fat diet with added medium-chain inulin(MCI), or a high-fat diet with added long-chain inulin(LCI) for two weeks. Finally, RT-PCR was used to detect the relative abundance of specific bacteria after this feeding course. The results showed that the abundance of common probiotics increased, and some harmful bacteria reduced after SCI, MCI, and HCI treatment. As the short-chain inulin has the strongest effect on improving the balance of intestinal flora, it may be a promising treatment option for patients with obesity, fatty liver, diabetes or other gastrointestinal issues.

Highlights

Along with the continued improvements in technology and productivity that society has experienced over the past decades has come an increased attention to personal health, with a particular interest in intestinal health
The growth of these beneficial bacteria, commonly known as probiotics, can promote intestinal health, while high levels of harmful bacteria are linked with a variety of human diseases
Inulin raw materials was dissolved in distilled water, and the viscosity was determined by viscometry

Summary

Introduction

Along with the continued improvements in technology and productivity that society has experienced over the past decades has come an increased attention to personal health, with a particular interest in intestinal health. Intestinal flora can be divided into beneficial bacteria, harmful bacteria and neutral bacteria. The growth of these beneficial bacteria, commonly known as probiotics, can promote intestinal health, while high levels of harmful bacteria are linked with a variety of human diseases. The consumption of prebiotics, which serve as nutrient sources for these beneficial bacteria, promotes probiotic growth, and inhibits excessive reproduction of harmful bacteria. A recent study has shown that inulin is the preferred raw material for bacteria and can help maintain the balance of beneficial bacteria in the intestine. Inulin acts to promote an increase in the number of probiotics such that they become the dominant flora, while simultaneously inhibiting the proliferation of spoilage bacteria[1]. Inulin has been suggested to regulate lipid metabolism, as well as prevent obesity and intestinal diseases

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Discussion

Conclusion