Abstract
Natural polysaccharides with health benefits are characterized by a large structural diversity and differ in building blocks, linkages, and lengths. They contribute to human health by functioning as anti-adhesives preventing pathogen adhesion, stimulate immune maturation and gut barrier function, and serve as fermentable substrates for gut bacteria. Examples of such beneficial carbohydrates include the human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). Also, specific non-digestible carbohydrates (NDCs), such as galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) and fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) are being produced with this purpose in mind, and are currently added to infant formula to stimulate the healthy development of the newborn. They mimic some functions of HMO, but not all. Therefore, many research efforts focus on identification and production of novel types of NDCs. In this review, we give an overview of the few NDCs currently available [GOS, FOS, polydextrose (PDX)], and outline the potential of alternative oligosaccharides, such as pectins, (arabino)xylo-oligosaccharides, and microbial exopolysaccharides (EPS). Moreover, state-of-the-art techniques to generate novel types of dietary glycans, including sialylated GOS (Sia-GOS) and galactosylated chitin, are presented as a way to obtain novel prebiotic NDCs that help shaping the infant microbiome.
Highlights
Humans live in symbiosis with trillions of bacteria, and most of them are symbionts and beneficial to the host (Sender et al, 2016)
This review aims to inspire the selection of future non-digestible carbohydrates (NDCs) that can be added to infant formula by reviewing beneficial glycans that show great promise as modulators of the microbiome, with a focus on their interaction with bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, since most is known about these genera
The Gal units are linked through β-galactosidic linkages, which are resistant to gastrointestinal tract (GIT) enzymes until they reach the colon where they are fermented by bacteria
Summary
Humans live in symbiosis with trillions of bacteria, and most of them are symbionts and beneficial to the host (Sender et al, 2016). A healthy infant microbiome is normally created under the guidance of molecules in human milk This is mainly accomplished by HMOs, which serve as feed for specific bacterial species. To ensure a high number in the gut, bifidobacteria have been observed to create a cross-feeding niche, as the extracellular fermentation of HMOs by B. bifidum is associated with a cooperative effect for B. infantis, which is able to import the released sugars and digest them intracellularly (Garrido et al, 2012; Thomson et al, 2018). To HMOs, other NDCs or dietary fibers have been shown to be major drivers of gut microbiome composition and function, and might be added to infant formula for this purpose (Benitez-Paez et al, 2016). State-of-the-art techniques to generate novel types of dietary glycans are presented
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