Intestinal Fermentation Research Articles

The effects of strawberry, black currant, and chokeberry extracts in a grain dietary fiber matrix on intestinal fermentation in rats

The objective of this work was to study the composition, hydration properties and oil holding capacity, antioxidant properties and the physiological effects on the digestive system of dietary preparations containing wheat or oat fiber enriched with polyphenol extracts from strawberry, chokeberry, and black currant pomace. By the addition of black currant, strawberry and chokeberry polyphenol extracts to grain fibers preparations with corresponding polyphenol content of 0.7%–0.8%, 1.1%–1.2%, and 2.5%–2.9% were obtained. The preparations were used as part (8%) of a modified AIN-93 diet given to growing Wistar rats (8 animals per group) over a period of 4weeks. The highest antioxidant potential had grain–chokeberry preparations with the greatest polyphenol content, while grain–black currant preparations exhibited the lowest antioxidant potential with the smallest polyphenol content. The addition of strawberry and chokeberry extracts caused a decrease in the activity of bacterial β-glucosidase and α-galactosidase, while black currant extract led to increased activity of β-galactosidase and β-glucuronidase. The production of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the caecum of rats fed the grain–strawberry preparation, rich in ellagitannins, was considerably higher than the grain–black currant preparation, rich in proanthocyanidins and anthocyans, or the grain–chokeberry preparation with the highest polyphenol content (78.3 vs. 64.7 vs. 56.3μmol/100g body weight, p=0.012). In comparison to preparations without polyphenols only chokeberry extract significantly decreased SCFA concentration. The grain–strawberry preparations were characterized by a higher antioxidant potential per unit of polyphenol content and exhibited a more beneficial influence on the fermentation processes in the caecum of rats than the grain–black currant and grain–chokeberry preparations.

Tributyrin supplementation protects mice from acute ethanol-induced gut injury.

Excessive alcohol consumption leads to liver disease. Interorgan crosstalk contributes to ethanol (EtOH)-induced liver injury. EtOH exposure causes gut dysbiosis resulting in negative alterations in intestinal fermentation byproducts, particularly decreased luminal butyrate concentrations. Therefore, in the present work, we investigated the effect of butyrate supplementation, in the form of trybutyrin, as a prophylactic treatment against EtOH-induced gut injury. C57BL/6J mice were treated with 3 different EtOH feeding protocols: chronic feeding (25 days, 32% of kcal), short-term (2 days, 32%), or acute single gavage (5 g/kg). Tributyrin (0.83 to 10 mM) was supplemented either into the liquid diet or by oral gavage. Intestinal expression of tight junction (TJ) proteins and a butyrate receptor and transporter were evaluated, as well as liver enzymes and inflammatory markers. All 3 EtOH exposure protocols reduced the expression and co-localization of TJ proteins (ZO-1, occludin) and the expression of a butyrate receptor (GPR109A) and transporter (SLC5A8) in the ileum and proximal colon. Importantly, tributyrin supplementation protected against these effects. Protection of the intestine with tributyrin supplementation was accompanied by mitigation of EtOH-induced increases in aspartate aminotransferase and inflammatory measures in the short-term and acute EtOH exposure protocols, but not after chronic EtOH feeding. These findings suggest that tributyrin supplementation could serve as a prophylactic treatment against gut injury caused by short-term EtOH exposure.

In Vitro Continuous Fermentation Model (PolyFermS) of the Swine Proximal Colon for Simultaneous Testing on the Same Gut Microbiota

In vitro gut modeling provides a useful platform for a fast and reproducible assessment of treatment-related changes. Currently, pig intestinal fermentation models are mainly batch models with important inherent limitations. In this study we developed a novel in vitro continuous fermentation model, mimicking the porcine proximal colon, which we validated during 54 days of fermentation. This model, based on our recent PolyFermS design, allows comparing different treatment effects on the same microbiota. It is composed of a first-stage inoculum reactor seeded with immobilized fecal swine microbiota and used to constantly inoculate (10% v/v) five second-stage reactors, with all reactors fed with fresh nutritive chyme medium and set to mimic the swine proximal colon. Reactor effluents were analyzed for metabolite concentrations and bacterial composition by HPLC and quantitative PCR, and microbial diversity was assessed by 454 pyrosequencing. The novel PolyFermS featured stable microbial composition, diversity and metabolite production, consistent with bacterial activity reported for swine proximal colon in vivo. The constant inoculation provided by the inoculum reactor generated reproducible microbial ecosystems in all second-stage reactors, allowing the simultaneous investigation and direct comparison of different treatments on the same porcine gut microbiota. Our data demonstrate the unique features of this novel PolyFermS design for the swine proximal colon. The model provides a tool for efficient, reproducible and cost-effective screening of environmental factors, such as dietary additives, on pig colonic fermentation.

Bifidobacterium thermophilum RBL67 Inhibits Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium in an In vitro Intestinal Fermentation Model

Infectious gastroenteritis caused by non-typhoidal serovars of Salmonella is usually self-limiting but life-threatening complications may require appropriate antibiotic therapies. Probiotics have evolved as potential alternatives to antibiotics in response to an increasing prevalence of resistant strains, but there are no studies comparing the effectiveness of both treatment strategies on the same intestinal microbiota. We used an in vitro intestinal fermentation system with immobilized fecal microbiota to model enteric Salmonella infection in children. The effects of antibiotics, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid at two dosages, and a probiotic candidate, Bifidobacterium thermophilum RBL67, on Salmonella counts, intestinal microbiota composition, and metabolic activity were compared. Antibiotic therapy, in agreement with current clinical reports, produced only a transient decrease of Salmonella concentrations but strongly modified bacterial population profiles and metabolic activity, confirming the suitability of the model. B. thermophilum RBL67 grew in the intestinal environment and exerted a strong inhibition on Salmonella when added before or after infection and was able to rebalance the metabolic activity of gut microbiota after antibiotic treatments. Our study revealed a high potential of B. thermophilum RBL67 for prevention and treatment of Salmonella infection. The exact mechanism has to be further elucidated.

Microbial Fermentation Patterns, Diarrhea Incidence, and Performance in Weaned Piglets Fed a Low Protein Diet Supplemented with Probiotics

To evaluate the effects of dietary protein levels and probiotic supplementation on microbial intestinal fermentation, diarrhea incidence, and performance in weaned piglets, 162 piglets were randomly assigned to three treatments: high-protein diet (20%), with antibiotics (HPa); high-protein diet (20%), without antibiotics (HP); and low-protein diet, without antibiotics but with probiotics (LPpb). Piglets and feed were weighed weekly to calculate the average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain: feed ratio (G:F). Four piglets per treatment were killed on day 21 postweaning to collect ileal and colon digesta for measurement of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs), lactic acid (LA), and ammonia (AM). In the digesta collected from the ileum and colon, piglets fed the HPa diet had the lowest concentration of volatile fatty acids. Additionally, the HP diet produced the highest concentration of BCFAs, while the LPpb diet produced moreacetic, propionic, and butyric acids than the HPa and HP diets. Piglets fed the HP diet had higher incidence and severity of diarrhea than piglets fed LPpb and HPa diets, and similar values were observed between these two groups. The second week postweaning was the most critical for diarrhea measurements; during the second week, animals had higher incidence and severity of diarrhea. Piglets fed the HPa and LPpb diets had similar ADGs, while those fed the HP diet had the poorest ADG. Similar results were observed with ADFI and G:F. A low-protein diet supplemented with probiotics changed the fermentation profile, reducing toxic metabolites, promoting gut health, decreasing the incidence and severity of postweaning diarrhea, and improving the performance of piglets.

농업분야 온실가스 배출량 산정의 불확도 추정 및 평가

Analysis and evaluation of uncertainty is adopting the advanced methodology among the methods for greenhouse gas emission assessment that was defined in GPS2000 (Good practice guideline 2000) and GPG-LULUCF (GPG Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry). In 2006 IPCC guideline, two approaches are suggested to explain the uncertainty for each section with a national net emission and a prediction value on uncertainty as follows; 1) Spread sheet calculation based on the error propagation algorithm that was simplified with some assumptions, and 2) Monte carlo simulation that can be utilized in general purposes. There are few researches on the agricultural field including greenhouse gas emission that is generated from livestock and cultivation lands due to lack of information for statistic data, emission coefficient, and complicated emission formula. The main objective of this study is to suggest an evaluation method for the uncertainty of greenhouse gas emission in agricultural field by means of intercomparison of the prediction value on uncertainties which were estimated by spread sheet calculation and monte carlo simulation. A statistic analysis for probability density function for uncertainty of emission rate was carried out by targeting livestock intestinal fermentation, excrements treatment, and direct/indirect emission from agricultural lands and rice cultivation. It was suggested to minimize uncertainty by means of extraction of emission coefficient according to each targeting section.

Indication of Immune Activation in Patients with Perceived Food Hypersensitivity

Majority of the patients with perceived food hypersensitivity have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and a significant proportion of IBS patients also attribute their gastrointestinal complaints to food items. Different factors such as disturbed intestinal fermentation, enteric dysmotility, post-infectious changes and altered microbial flora in the colon as well as psychological disturbances likely play a role in the pathophysiology and symptoms generation in patients with food hypersensitivity. In addition, a number of studies in these patient groups indicate that local, systemic and mucosal immune systems are activated. The question now is no longer intestinal immune activation, but how the immune system is activated in these patients. In the following review, the potential pathogenetic role of the immune system and evidence of immune activation are reported in patients with perceived food hypersensitivity.

Pectin Ameliorates the Impact of Capsaicin on Intestinal Fermentation Environment

Pectin Ameliorates the Impact of Capsaicin on Intestinal Fermentation Environment

Evaluation of the impact of maize endosperm vitreousness on in vitro starch digestion, dry matter digestibility and fermentation characteristics for pigs

The interest in the study of the effect of endosperm vitreousness (VT) on the nutritive value of maize is increasing in pig nutrition. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to determine the effect of maize VT on starch digestion, resistant starch (RS) content, dry matter digestibility as well as on large intestine fermentation kinetics and related end products by using several in vitro techniques specifically designed for pigs. A set of 30 maize grains was selected to represent a wide range of VT (as a proportion of vitreous in total endosperm) determined by a manual dissection method. Five distinct VT classes were designed [very low (vlVT), low (lVT), medium (mVT), high (hVT) and very high (vhVT)] and identified by a specific VT value (i.e., 291, 357, 432, 611 and 830g/kg endosperm, respectively), calculated as the mean of VT values of maize samples entering the specific class. Starch digestion (expressed as predicted glycemic index) and the rate of starch digestion decreased linearly (ranging from 42.5 to 14.5 and from 0.018 to 0.006/min respectively, for vlVT and vhVT; P<0.05), whereas RS increased linearly (from 183 to 381g/kg dry matter; P<0.05) with VT classes. The total tract in vitro dry matter digestibility decreased linearly (from 0.96 to 0.75; P<0.05) with VT classes. The in vitro fermentation showed that the rate of fermentation decreased (from 0.060 to 0.044/h; P<0.05), whereas the total short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production increased (ranging from 6.29 to 7.29mmol/g dry matter incubated; P<0.05) linearly with VT classes. The molar ratio of acetate linearly increased, ranging from 0.50 to 0.55 (P<0.05) with VT classes, whereas no differences were observed for other individual SCFA. The loading plot of principal component analysis revealed significant relationships between VT and variables of interest. Results indicated that VT promoted marked effects on in vitro parameters related to starch and dry matter digestibility and fermentable kinetics for pigs. Further in vivo validations are required to validate these findings.

The Role of Viscosity and Fermentability of Dietary Fibers on Satiety- and Adiposity-Related Hormones in Rats

Dietary fiber may contribute to satiety. This study examined the effect of two dietary fiber characteristics, small intestinal contents viscosity and large intestinal fermentability, on satiety-and adiposity-related hormones in rats. Diets contained fiber sources that were non-viscous, somewhat viscous, or highly viscous, and either highly fermentable or non-fermentable, in a 2 × 3 factorial design. In the fed state (2 h postprandial), rats fed non-fermentable fibers had significantly greater plasma GLP-1 concentration than fermentable fibers. In the fasted state, among non-fermentable fibers, viscosity had no effect on GLP-1 concentration. However, among fermentable fibers, greater viscosity reduced GLP-1 concentration. Plasma peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY) concentrations in the fasted state were not influenced by the fermentability of the fiber overall, however animals consuming a fructooligosaccharide greater PYY concentration. In both the fed and fasted states, rats fed non-fermentable fibers had a significantly lower plasma ghrelin concentration than rats fed fermentable fibers. In the fasted state, rats fed non-fermentable fibers had a significantly lower plasma leptin concentration than rats fed fermentable fibers. Thus, fermentability and viscosity of dietary fiber interacted in complex ways to influence satiety- and adiposity-related plasma hormone concentrations. However, the results suggest that highly viscous, non-fermentable fibers may limit weight gain and reduce adiposity and non-fermentable fibers, regardless of viscosity, may promote meal termination.

Comparison the efficacy of two types of duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection in chronic pancreatitis: Prospective nonrandomized trial

s / Pancreatology 13 (2013) S2–S98 S72 Results: In 12 (9/3 male/female) patients, mean age:43.7(19-70)ys with diagnosis of mild to moderate chronic or relapsing pancreatitis, verified by different imaging methods were followed with repeated starch tolerance tests. In 6 pts the pancreatic function became normal or significantly improved in 1-6 years with morphological recovery. In 6 cases the repeated tests demonstrated stable or slightly progressive PEI which was significantly improved(2 pts)or normalized(4 pts) with 10000(2 pts) or 25000(4 pts) IU lipase containing pancreatin preparation. Basal Av correlated with need of pancreatin for normalizing PEI. Body weight increases and clinical improvements followed functional amliorations several months later. Conclusion: The simple starch tolerance test, easily available in every outpatient laboratories, can demonstate PEI even in mild to moderate cases and the repeated tests with increasing doses of pancreatin can indicate individual needs of patients for optimal PERT. PII-64 Abstract id: 55. Comparison the efficacy of two types of duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection in chronic pancreatitis: Prospective nonrandomized trial Roman Petrov , Vyacheslav Egorov , Anatoly Shchastny , Michael Kugaev . 1 Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia 2 Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Ostroumov fourteenth City Hospital, Moscow, Russia Vitebsky State Medical University, Vitebsk, Republic Belarus, Belarus Introduction: Beger and Berne procedures are both applicable for management of chronic pancreatitis (CP). The choice of intervention remains a matter of debate Aims: To compare the efficacy of Beger and Berne procedures for CP Patients & methods: Two-center nonrandomized controlled trial compared short-and long-term results of the procedures. Endpoint were duration of surgery (primary), length of postoperative ICU and hospital stay, incidence of postoperative complications and quality of life after 12 months (2010-2012) Results: Beger (24) and Berne (28) groups were demographically and clinically similar. Berne procedure took on average 62 minutes (95%CI:21 to 102) less compared to Beger one. Relative risk for blood transfusions was 3 times lower (RR1⁄43,79;95%CI:1,42-10,09) and total hospital stay was five days shorter in Berne group(p1⁄4.0126). Incidence of complications was equal (OR1⁄42.6;95% CI:0,77-8,81). Quality of life and pain intensity one year after surgery didn’t differ significantly between the groups regarding SF 36 and Numerical Pain Rating Scale (Physical Health score: Beger 54(48-55) vs. Berne 52(47-54),p 1⁄4 .021; pain score: Beger 1(0-3) vs. Berne 2(1-5), p 1⁄4.022).Weight gain were 8.3 kg (95% CI:7-9.5) in Beger and 9.5 kg (95% CI: 7,4-11,6) in Berne groups. There were 3 new cases of diabetes mellitus in each group, 2 (Beger) and 4(Berne) cases of symptomatic steatorrhea. Conclusion: Less blood loss and hospital stay after Berne operation compared to Beger one, with equal long-term efficacy of the procedures, can make Berne procedure a standard intervention for “cephalic” CP with classical Beger procedure reserved for special cases PII-65 Abstract id: 160. The prevalence of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency in patients fulfilling Rome III criteria for irritable bowel syndrome Bj€ orn Lindkvist, Hans T€ ornblo, Magnus Simr en. Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sweden Introduction: The diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is based on the Rome III criteria. In some cases, undiagnosed organic disease may mimic IBS. Aims: To investigate the prevalence of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) in a cohort of patients fulfilling Rome III criteria for IBS. Patients & methods: Consecutive patients referred for a suspicion of IBS to our unit were eligible for the study. Patients fullfilling Rome III criteria for IBS were included. Bowel habits were registered during 2weeks using the Bristol Stool Form Scale. Stool samples for fecal elastase-1 (Fel-1) analysis were obtained at two separate occasions. Fel-1 160 ppm) within three weeks (p1⁄40.0007), indicating a fast increase of intestinal fermentation. In controls there was no significant rise of H2-exhalation within the observed period of 10 weeks (always <42 ppm). Conclusion: H2-exhalation was determined for the first time in EPIpigs and seems to be a useful indirect marker for intestinal fermentation of carbohydrates. This study underlines the very fast increase of intestinal fermentation in case of EPI and emphasis that EPI does not only affect lipid digestion. PII-67 Abstract id: 301. Preliminary data of a clinical survey on chronic pancreatitis based on the Hungarian national registry Anita Bal azs , Zolt an Rakonczay, Jr. , Lajos V. Kem eny , Gyula Farkas, Jr. , Akos Pap , J ozsef Mal eth , Andrea Geisz , Ella Szab o , Judit Gervain , Zolt an Szepes , Andr as Roszt oczy , J ozsef Kiss , Barnab as

Cereal β-glucan alters nutrient digestibility and microbial activity in the intestinal tract of pigs, and lower manure ammonia emission: A meta-analysis

Cereal β-glucan may be detrimental in pig production because of negative effects on nutrient digestibility, but they may act as functional ingredients by stimulating the intestinal microbiota. This study primarily aimed to investigate relations between dietary β-glucan and nutrient digestibility, intestinal fermentation, and manure NH3 emission in weaned, growing, and finishing pigs. Effects of dietary xylose, NDF, and CP, and pig BW on animal responses were also evaluated. A meta-analytical approach, accounting for inter- and intraexperiment variations, was used to compute prediction models. Data from 26 studies including 107 different dietary treatments with appropriate dietary and physiological measurements were used to parameterize these models. Dietary β-glucan inclusion ranged from 0 to 6.7%. Increasing dietary β-glucan reduced apparent ileal (AID) and total tract digestibility (ATTD) of CP and energy (R(2) = 0.12 to 0.29; P < 0.05), whereas the ATTD of DM was reduced by 10% up to a threshold β-glucan of 3.5%, above which the response became asymptotic (R(2) = 0.34; P < 0.01). Increasing dietary NDF content decreased ATTD of DM and energy, and increasing xylose concentration reduced ATTD of energy and CP (R(2) = 0.24 to 0.85; P < 0.05). Broken-line model indicated that cecal total VFA and butyrate concentrations increased up to a threshold of 2.5 and 1.4% β-glucan in the diet, respectively, above which these responses became asymptotic (R(2) = 0.77 to 0.96; P < 0.05). Ileal butyrate was negatively and colonic iso-butyrate was positively linked to increasing β-glucan concentration (R(2) = 0.17 to 0.41; P < 0.05). Greater β-glucan concentration were negatively related (R(2) = 0.86; P < 0.01) to NH3 emission, indicating a reduction in NH3 emission by one-half with 6% β-glucan. Backward elimination analysis indicated that greater BW of pigs counteracted (P < 0.05) the negative effect of β-glucan on AID of CP and energy and ATTD of DM and CP. Pig BW also enhanced effects of β-glucan on cecal total VFA, colonic iso-butyrate, ileal butyrate, and NH3 emission (P < 0.05). Dietary CP potentiated (P < 0.01) the β-glucan effects on cecal total VFA, cecal butyrate, and colonic iso-butyrate. In conclusion, this study indicates that β-glucan can stimulate cecal butyrate and ameliorate manure NH3 emission, thereby decreasing nutrient digestibility. Because greater BW ameliorates β-glucan effects, finishing diets may be formulated to contain more β-glucan than weaner diets.

Dietary nucleotides and yeast extract affect the composition and metabolic activities of the swine gut microbiota in a new in vitro fermentation model

Nucleotides (NT) are important compounds to many biological processes but data on the exact role of NT on the gut microbiota remain unclear. In this work we investigated the effects of dietary NT in a medium formulated to simulate the pig ileal chyme on gut microbiota composition and activity using a novel continuous in vitro intestinal fermentation models mimicking the proximal colon. Pig fecal microbiota was immobilized in gellan‐xanthan beads and used as a continuous inoculum in a novel intestinal model platform, operated with multiple parallel reactors to compare treatments on the exact same microbiota composition. Daily effluent samples were collected and analyzed to investigate the composition (qPCR, pyrosequencing) and metabolic activities (HPLC) of the microbiota.We measured significant shifts of microbial diversity, microbiota composition, and activity of effluent samples induced by dietary NT and YE treatments. In particular Lactobacilli (+1.4 Log10) and propionate concentration (+18.7 %) significantly increased in 7.5 g/l high NTYE compare to the control medium. Our data suggest beneficial effects of dietary NT in YE on pig gut microbial balance, associated with enhanced propionate production which could reinforce the barrier effect of the gut microbiota and increased populations of beneficial microbes.This study was supported by a grant from the Worldwide Research Alltech, Inc. in USA.Grant Funding Source: Nutrition (ASN): ASN Graduate Student Research Award Competition, supported by the Nutritional Sciences Council

In vitro 발효에서 Prebiotics와 Probiotics가 돼지 장내미생물과 발효산물에 미치는 영향

In the present study, the effects of prebiotics and prebiotics+probiotics on intestinal microflora and fermentation products were evaluated in a pig in vitro fermentation model. The substrates used in this study were iso-malto oligosaccharide (IMO), partially digested chicory-inulin (CI), raffinose (RA), and cyclodextrin (CD) as prebiotics and Lactobacillus reiteri as probiotics. For a pig in vitro fermentation, the experimental diet for growing pigs was predigested using digestive enzymes secreted by small intestine and this hydrolyzed diet was mixed with a buffer solution containing 5% fresh swine feces. The mixture was then incubated with either prebiotics or prebiotics+probiotics for 24 h. Samples were taken at 24 h, and viable counts of microflora, gas, pH, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) were analyzed. The viable count of Enterobacteriaceae was significantly decreased (p

Large intestinal fermentation capacity of fattening pigs on organic farms as measuredin vitrousing contrasting substrates

In accordance with the EU regulations, organic farms require pigs to be fed diets high in fibre, which may impact on the pigs' large intestinal fermentation capacity. The ability of pigs to ferment non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) depends on characteristics of the dietary NSP source and microbes present in the large intestine of pigs. Little information exists on the fibre fermentation capacity of organically raised pigs. The aim of this study was to determine the variation in fibre fermentation capacity of fattening pigs within and between organic farms using an in vitro batch culture method and three contrasting substrates: oligofructose, soy pectin and cellulose. Pigs from different organic farms showed varying fermentation capacities as assessed by gas production, kinetics and fermentation end-products formed (P < 0.01). Coefficients of variation between inocula within farms varied by up to 40% for gas production and kinetics, in particular for incubation with cellulose. No relationship between on-farm feeding practice and the pigs' fermentation capacity could be established. The fermentation capacity of pigs reared under organic conditions varies considerable between farms. Finishing pigs reared under organic farming conditions are fast fermenters of oligofructose and soy pectin. More than four donor animals should be used per inoculum to accurately assess in vitro fermentation capacity. Fermentation results could not be related to dietary management under on-farm conditions.

Effects of processing technologies combined with cell wall degrading enzymes on in vitro degradability of barley

Effects of processing technologies and cell wall degrading enzymes on in vitro degradation of barley were tested in a 5 × 2 factorial arrangement: 5 technologies (unprocessed, wet-milling, extrusion, autoclaving, and acid-autoclaving), with or without enzymes. Upper gastrointestinal tract digestion (Boisen incubation) and large intestinal fermentation (gas production technique) were simulated in duplicate. All technologies increased digestion of DM (13 to 43% units) and starch (22 to 51% units) during Boisen incubation, compared with the unprocessed control (P < 0.01). Wet-milling, extrusion, and acid-autoclaving increased CP digestion by 29 to 33% units (P < 0.01). Xylanase and β-glucanase addition increased digestion of DM (≈ 20% units), starch (≈ 20% units), and CP (≈ 10% units) in unprocessed and autoclaved barley (P < 0.01). Wet-milling, extrusion, and acid-autoclaving, reduced the extent (50%) and maximum rate (60 to 75%) of fermentation (P < 0.01), which appeared to reflect the reduced amount of starch present in the Boisen residues. In conclusion, wet-milling, extrusion, and acid-autoclaving improved in vitro starch and CP digestion in barley, which is related to the cell wall matrix disruption. Addition of xylanases and β-glucanases improved in vitro starch and CP digestion only in unprocessed barley or barley poorly affected by processing.

Use of medium without reducing agent for in vitro fermentation studies by bacteria isolated from pig intestine

Over the past decade, several in vitro methods have been developed to study intestinal fermentation in pigs and its influence on health. In these methods, samples are fermented by a bacterial inoculum diluted in a mineral buffer solution. Generally, a reducing agent such as Na(2)S or cysteine HCl generates the required anaerobic environment by release of H(2)S inducing an imbalance among bacterial species by the production of toxic metabolites. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to study the impact of reducing agent on fermentation patterns. Protein (soybean protein and/or casein) and carbohydrate (potato starch and/or cellulose) ingredients were fermented in vitro by pig intestinal bacteria from fresh feces obtained from 3 sows fed an antibiotic-free commercial diet in 3 incubation media differing in reducing agent: (i) Na(2)S, (ii) cysteine HCl, or (iii) without reducing agent. Gas fermentation kinetics were monitored over 72 h (pressure was measured every 2 min). Short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production after 24 and 72 h were compared among ingredient and reducing agents (n = 2). Gas production was higher (P < 0.05) when fermenting carbohydrate than protein ingredients. Except for soybean protein, total SCFA production after 24 and 72 h was similar (P > 0.05) for each ingredient regardless the incubation medium. The SCFA molar ratios did not differ (P > 0.05) between Na(2)S and without reducing agent. In conclusion, saturation of incubation media with CO(2) seems sufficient to generate an anaerobic environment. So incubation media could be simplified by omitting the reducing agent without influencing the fermentation kinetics and SCFA production.

Bloat and colic in horses experimentally induced by the ingestion of Panicum maximum cv. ‘Mombaça’

In the Amazon region, sprouting pastures of Panicum maximum cause colic and death in horses and mules. To produce the disease two experiments were performed with growing P. maximum cv. 'Mombaça' in penned horses. In Experiment 1, at the beginning of the raining season, 10 horses were fed with recently harvested sprouting P. maximum. Two horses showed colic on the 5th and 11th day after start of the ingestion. In Experiment 2, also during the raining season, the same 10 horses used in Experiment 2 were divided into two groups of 5 horses each. Group 1 received sprouting P. maximum immediately after harvested and Group 2 received the grass 24 hours after harvested. The control group consisted of four animals which were placed in individual pens and fed with Pennisetum purpureum and commercial ration twice a day. One horse from Group 2 showed colic on day 13th after the start of feeding. The other horses of both groups showed intestinal bloat. In both experiments affected horses recovered after the end of the administration. The control group did not showed clinical signs. These results demonstrated that the disease is caused by the ingestion of sprouting P. maximum during the rainy season. The results in experiment 2 showed that P. maximum do not loss toxicity 24 hours after harvesting. Clinical signs suggest that primary alteration caused by P. maximum is intestinal fermentation followed by bloat.

Segmental differences of intestinal fermentation activity of carp Cyprinus carpio in micro-scale batch culture

Segmental differences of intestinal fermentation activity of carp Cyprinus carpio in micro-scale batch culture

Highly viscous guar gum shifts dietary amino acids from metabolic use to fermentation substrate in domestic cats

The present study evaluated the potential of affecting amino acid metabolism through intestinal fermentation in domestic cats, using dietary guar gum as a model. Apparent protein digestibility, plasma fermentation metabolites, faecal fermentation end products and fermentation kinetics (exhaled breath hydrogen concentrations) were evaluated. Ten cats were randomly assigned to either guar gum- or cellulose-supplemented diets, that were fed in two periods of 5 weeks in a crossover design. No treatment effect was seen on fermentation kinetics. The apparent protein digestibility (P= 0.07) tended to be lower in guar gum-supplemented cats. As a consequence of impaired small-intestinal protein digestion and amino acid absorption, fermentation of these molecules in the large intestine was stimulated. Amino acid fermentation has been shown to produce high concentrations of acetic and butyric acids. Therefore, no treatment effect on faecal propionic acid or plasma propionylcarnitine was observed in the present study. The ratio of faecal butyric acid:total SCFA tended to be higher in guar gum-supplemented cats (P= 0.05). The majority of large-intestinal butyric acid is absorbed by colonocytes and metabolised to 3-hydroxy-butyrylcoenzyme A, which is then absorbed into the bloodstream. This metabolite was analysed in plasma as 3-hydroxy-butyrylcarnitine, which was higher (P= 0.02) in guar gum-supplemented cats. In all probability, the high viscosity of the guar gum supplement was responsible for the impaired protein digestion and amino acid absorption. Further research is warranted to investigate whether partially hydrolysed guar gum is useful to potentiate the desirable in vivo effects of this fibre supplement.