Short-chain Fructooligosaccharides Research Articles

Intracellular and extracellular enzyme patterns during biosynthesis of short chain fructooligosaccharides from Aspergillus spp. strains: Profile, biological structure correlation and chemometric characterizations

Eight strains of Aspergillus spp. were evaluated for their ability to produce intracellular and extracellular fructosyltransferase and fructooligosaccharides from sucrose. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that a study evaluates the production of intracellular and extracellular fructosyltransferase simultaneously with its chemometric characterization. High values of intracellular FTase were exhibited by A. oryzae and A. carbonarius and extracellular FTase by A. japonicus and A. ochraceus. The highest concentrations of intracellular FOS were generated by A. carbonarius and A. ochraceus and extracellular FOS by A. carbonarius and A. japonicus. The variations detected between the behavior of intra- and extra-cellular enzymes can be explained by activation of disulfide bridges and N-terminal signal peptides that occur distinctly between these biological structures. 1-kestose and 1-fructofuranosylnystose were the major oligosaccharides detected by HPLC-RID. Thus, transfructosylation activity is the main contributor to the positive correlation of 1-kestose.

Maternal Supplementation of Food Ingredient (Prebiotic) or Food Contaminant (Mycotoxin) Influences Mucosal Immune System in Piglets.

The early life period is crucial for the maturation of the intestinal barrier, its immune system, and a life-long beneficial host–microbiota interaction. The study aims to assess the impact of a beneficial dietary (short-chain fructooligosaccharides, scFOS) supplementation vs. a detrimental dietary environment (such as mycotoxin deoxynivalenol, DON) on offspring intestinal immune system developmental profiles. Sows were given scFOS-supplemented or DON-contaminated diets during the last 4 weeks of gestation, whereas force-feeding piglets with DON was performed during the first week of offspring life. Intestinal antigen-presenting cell (APC) subset frequency was analyzed by flow cytometry in the Peyer’s patches and in lamina propria and the responsiveness of intestinal explants to toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands was performed using ELISA and qRT-PCR from post-natal day (PND) 10 until PND90. Perinatal exposure with scFOS did not affect the ontogenesis of APC. While it early induced inflammatory responses in piglets, scFOS further promoted the T regulatory response after TLR activation. Sow and piglet DON contamination decreased CD16+ MHCII+ APC at PND10 in lamina propria associated with IFNγ inflammation and impairment of Treg response. Our study demonstrated that maternal prebiotic supplementation and mycotoxin contamination can modulate the mucosal immune system responsiveness of offspring through different pathways.

Changes in the Fecal Metabolome Are Associated with Feeding Fiber Not Health Status in Cats with Chronic Kidney Disease

The objective was to determine the effects of feeding different fiber sources to cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) compared with healthy cats (both n = 10) on fecal metabolites. A cross-over within split-plot study design was performed using healthy and CKD cats (IRIS stage 1, 2, and 3). After cats were fed a complete and balanced dry food designed to aid in the management of renal disease for 14 days during a pre-trial period, they were randomly assigned to two fiber treatments for 4 weeks each. The treatment foods were formulated similar to pre-trial food and contained 0.500% betaine, 0.586% oat beta glucan, and either 0.407% short chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS) fiber or 3.44% apple pomace. Both treatment foods had similar crude fiber (2.0 and 2.1% for scFOS and apple pomace, respectively) whereas soluble fiber was 0.8 and 1.6%, respectively. At baseline, CKD had very little impact on the fecal metabolome. After feeding both fiber sources, some fecal metabolite concentrations were significantly different compared with baseline. Many fecal uremic toxins decreased, although in healthy cats some increased; and some more so when feeding apple pomace compared with scFOS, e.g., hippurate, 4-hydroxyhippurate, and 4-methylcatechol sulfate; the latter was also increased in CKD cats. Changes in secondary bile acid concentrations were more numerous in healthy compared with CKD cats, and cats in both groups had greater increases in some secondary bile acids after consuming apple pomace compared with scFOS, e.g., tauroursodeoxycholate and hyocholate. Although changes associated with feeding fiber were more significant than changes associated with disease status, differential modulation of the gut-kidney axis using dietary fiber may benefit cats.

A prebiotic, short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides promotes peak bone mass and maintains bone mass in ovariectomized rats by an osteogenic mechanism

In preclinical studies, fructooligosaccharide (FOS) showed beneficial skeletal effects but its effect on peak bone mass (PBM) and bone loss caused by estrogen (E2) deficiency has not been studied, and we set out to study these effects in rats. Short-chain (sc)-FOS had no effect on body weight, body composition, and energy metabolism of ovary intact (sham) and ovariectomized (OVX) rats. scFOS did not affect serum and urinary calcium and phosphorus levels, and on calcium absorption, although an increasing trend was noted in the sham group. Sham and OVX rats given scFOS had better skeletal parameters than their respective controls. scFOS treatment resulted in a higher bone anabolic response but had no effect on the catabolic parameters. scFOS increased serum levels of a short-chain fatty acid, butyrate which is known to have osteogenic effect. Our study for the first time demonstrates that in rats scFOS at the human equivalent dose enhances PBM and protects against E2 deficiency-induced bone loss by selective enhancement of new bone formation, and implicates butyrate in this process.

Chronic kidney disease in cats alters response of the plasma metabolome and fecal microbiome to dietary fiber.

The objectives were to determine the effects of feeding different fiber types to healthy cats and cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on plasma metabolites and the fecal microbiome.MethodsA cross-over study within a split-plot design was performed using healthy (n = 10) and CKD cats [IRIS Stage 1 and 2; n = 10]. Cats were fed dry Prescription Diet® k/d® Feline with chicken, during a pre-trial period and then randomly assigned to two fiber treatments for 4 weeks each. Treatment foods were formulated similar to pre-trial food, with the exception that they contained 0.500% betaine, 0.586% oat beta glucan, and either 0.407% short chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS) fiber or 3.44% apple pomace. Both foods had similar crude fiber percent (2.0 and 2.1% for scFOS and apple pomace, respectively) whereas soluble fiber was 0.8 and 1.6%, respectively.ResultsPlasma metabolites separated cats based on health status. At baseline, cats with CKD had significantly higher circulating concentrations of creatinine, urea, and some microbial and host tryptophan metabolites including several indole sulfates and kynurenate. Healthy cats had higher concentrations of the antioxidant α-tocopherol after consuming apple pomace; alternatively, they had higher concentrations of inflammatory sphingolipid metabolites after consuming scFOS, but not after consuming apple pomace. The CKD cats had higher concentrations of the more oxidized glutathione metabolites after consuming apple pomace compared with scFOS, as well as higher concentrations of inflammatory sphingolipid metabolites after consuming apple pomace, but not scFOS. After consuming scFOS, CKD cats had lower concentrations of the phenolic uremic toxins guaiacol sulfate and 4-vinylphenol sulfate compared with after consuming apple pomace. At baseline, there were five significant microbiota OTU differences in CKD cats compared with healthy cats. Overall, the OTUs in CKD cats were more resistant to change after feeding either fiber source. Counts of an unclassified genus in the family S24-7 in the order Bacteroidales (OTU 100296), were lower in CKD cats compared with healthy cats at baseline (P = 0.001), but increased after consumption of food containing scFOS (P = 0.006). Linear regression analysis showed that this genus had significant negative correlations with several microbial uremic toxins. None of the baseline differences in OTUs between healthy and CKD cats changed after CKD cats consumed food containing apple pomace.ConclusionsHealth status impacts the influence of dietary fermentable fibers on the feline plasma metabolome and fecal microbiome. A more readily fermented fiber such as scFOS is preferable to apple pomace as a fiber source for cats with CKD.

Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides supplementation to suckling piglets: Assessment of pre- and post-weaning performance and gut health.

Farmers face difficulties in redeeming their investment in larger litter sizes since this comes with larger litter heterogenicity, lower litter resilience and risk of higher mortality. Dietary oligosaccharides, given to the sow, proved beneficial for the offspring’s performance. However, giving oligosaccharides to the suckling piglet is poorly explored. Therefore, this field trial studied the effect of dietary short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS; 1g/day; drenched) supplementation to low (LBW, lower quartile), normal (NBW, two intermediate quartiles) and high (HBW, upper quartile) birth weight piglets from birth until 7 or 21 days of age. Performance parameters, gut microbiome and short-chain fatty acids profile of feces and digesta were assessed at birth (d 0), d 7, weaning (d 21.5) and 2 weeks post-weaning (d 36.5). Additional parameters reflecting gut health (intestinal integrity and morphology, mucosal immune system) were analysed at d 36.5. Most parameters changed with age or differed with the piglet’s birth weight. Drenching with scFOS increased body weight by 1 kg in NBW suckling piglets and reduced the post-weaning mortality rate by a 100%. No clear difference in the IgG level, the microbiota composition and fermentative activity between the treatment groups was observed. Additionnally, intestinal integrity, determined by measuring intestinal permeability and regenerative capacity, was similar between the treatment groups. Also, intestinal architecture (villus lenght, crypt depth) was not affected by scFOS supplementation. The density of intra-epithelial lymphocytes and the expression profiles (real-time qPCR) for immune system-related genes (IL-10, IL-1ß, IL-6, TNFα and IFNγ) were used to assess mucosal immunity. Only IFNγ expression, was upregulated in piglets that received scFOS for 7 days. The improved body weight and the reduced post-weaning mortality seen in piglets supplemented with scFOS support the view that scFOS positively impact piglet’s health and resilience. However, the modes of action for these effects are not yet fully elucidated and its potential to improve other performance parameters needs further investigation.

Comparison of the Acute Glycemic and Insulinemic Response of Fossence™, a Short Chain Fructo-Oligosaccharide, Taken Alone, Added or Substituted into a Carbohydrate Load

Abstract Objectives To explore the physiological response to ingestion of FossenceTM, a short chain fructo-oligosaccharide, when taken alone or when added or substituted into a carbohydrate load. Methods In a randomized, controlled, cross-over design, 25 healthy subjects completed three phases (phase 1: 13M:12F; 41 ± 14y; 24.4 ± 2.2 kg/m²; phase 2: 13M:12F; 40 ± 14y; 24.5 ± 2.4 kg/m²; phase 3: 13M:12F; 41 ± 14y; 24.3 ± 2.6 kg/m²; Mean ± SD). On separate days, each subject received in Phase 1: 10 g FossenceTM(10FOS), 10 g Dextrose (10Dex) or a water control (Control); Phase 2: 50 g Dextrose alone (50Dex), Dextrose with 15 g FossenceTM(50Dex + 15FOS), 35 g Dextrose alone (35Dex) or Dextrose with 15 g FossenceTM(35Dex + 15FOS); and Phase 3 received: 50 g available carbohydrate (avCHO) from white bread alone (50WB) or with 15 g FossenceTM(50WB + 15FOS), 35 g avCHO from white bread alone (35WB) or with 15 g FossenceTM(35WB + 15FOS). Blood samples were collected at fasting and over 2 hours after the start of the test meal and analyzed for glucose and insulin levels. The primary endpoint was differences in glucose IAUC. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03755232). Results Phase 1: The glucose IAUC was significantly lower after 10FOS and Control compared to 10Dex (P < 0.0001). Similarly, the insulin IAUC was significantly lower after Control and 10FOS compared to 10Dex (P < 0.0001). Phase 2: The glucose IAUC was significantly lower after 35Dex and 35Dex + 15FOS compared to 50Dex (P < 0.0001). Insulin IAUC was significantly lower after 35Dex compared to 50Dex and 50Dex + 15FOS, the IAUC of 35Dex + 15FOS was significantly lower than 50Dex (P < 0.0003). Phase 3: The glucose IAUC was significantly lower after 35WB and 35WB + 15FOS compared to 50WB and 50WB + 15FOS (P < 0.00001). Insulin IAUC was significantly lower after 35WB and 35WB + 15FOS compared to 50WB and 50WB + 15FOS (P < 0.00001). Conclusions These studies demonstrate that FossenceTM, when consumed alone, does not increase postprandial glucose and insulin levels, indicating it is resistant to breakdown. When added to a carbohydrate load, no increase in postprandial glucose or insulin levels is observed while substitution of 30% of glycemic carbohydrate by FossenceTMsignificantly decreased postprandial glucose and insulin levels. FossenceTM, being sweet to taste, may be advised to individuals on restricted sugar intake. Funding Sources Tata Chemicals Ltd, India.

Novel cross-linked enzyme aggregates of levanase from Bacillus lehensis G1 for short-chain fructooligosaccharides synthesis: Developmental, physicochemical, kinetic and thermodynamic properties

Short-chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOSs) can be produced from the levan hydrolysis using levanase. Levanase from Bacillus lehensis G1 (rlevblg1) is an enzyme that specifically converts levan to scFOSs. However, the use of free levanase presents a lack of stability and reusability, thus hindering the synthesis of scFOSs for continuous reactions. Here, CLEAs for rlevblg1 were prepared and characterized. Cross-linked levanase aggregates using glutaraldehyde (CLLAs-ga) and bovine albumin serum (CLLAs-ga-bsa) showed the best activity recovery of 92.8% and 121.2%, respectively. The optimum temperature of CLLAs-ga and CLLAs-ga-bsa was increased to 35 °C and 40 °C, respectively, from its free rlevblg1 (30 °C). At high temperature (50 °C), the half-life of CLLAs-ga-bsa was higher than that of free rlevblg1 and CLLAs-ga. Both CLLAs exhibited higher stability at pH 9 and pH 10. Hyperactivation of CLLAs-ga-bsa was achieved with an effectiveness factor of more than 1 and with improved catalytic efficiency. After 3 h reaction, CLLAs-ga-bsa produced the highest total scFOSs yield of 35.4% and total sugar of 60.4% per gram levan. Finally, the reusability of CLLAs for 8 cycles with more than 50% activity retained makes them as a potential synthetic catalyst to be explored for scFOSs synthesis.

Relationships Between Gut Microbiota, Metabolome, Body Weight, and Glucose Homeostasis of Obese Dogs Fed with Diets Differing in Prebiotic and Protein Content.

Obesity is a major issue in pets and nutritional strategies need to be developed, like promoting greater protein and fiber intake. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary protein levels and prebiotic supplementation on the glucose metabolism and relationships between the gut, microbiota, metabolome, and phenotype of obese dogs. Six obese Beagle dogs received a diet containing 25.6% or 36.9% crude protein, with or without 1% short-chain fructo-oligosaccharide (scFOS) or oligofructose (OF), in a Latin-square study design. Fecal and blood samples were collected for metabolite analysis, untargeted metabolomics, and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. A multi-block analysis was performed to build a correlation network to identify relationships between fecal microbiota, metabolome, and phenotypic variables. Diets did not affect energy homeostasis, but scFOS supplementation modulated fecal microbiota composition and induced significant changes of the fecal metabolome. Bile acids and several amino acids were related to glucose homeostasis while specific bacteria gathered in metavariables had a high number of links with phenotypic and metabolomic parameters. It also suggested that fecal aminoadipate and hippurate act as potential markers of glucose homeostasis. This preliminary study provides new insights into the relationships between the gut microbiota, the metabolome, and several phenotypic markers involved in obesity and associated metabolic dysfunctions.

Manufacturing of Short-Chain Fructooligosaccharides: from Laboratory to Industrial Scale

Short-chain fructooligosaccharides (ScFOS) are a group of linear fructose oligomers that include 1-kestose, 1-nystose and 1-β-fructofuranosylnystose. ScFOS, which naturally occur at low levels in different plant products, are of high interest as food ingredients because of their prebiotic character, organoleptic characteristics and technological properties. Two different industrial processes are used to achieve large-scale ScFOS production: inulin hydrolysis (enzymatic or chemical hydrolysis) or sucrose biotransformation by transfructosylation (enzymatic synthesis) using specific enzymes like fructosyltransferases and fructofuranosidases. Enzymatic ScFOS synthesis seems to be more advantageous than inulin hydrolysis since it is less expensive, and leads to lower molecular weight FOS. The biotechnological process described to carry out this catalysis includes the production of transfructosylation enzymes, separation, enzyme immobilisation and finally the ScFOS production and purification. Such ScFOS production processes may be conducted under submerged or solid-state fermentation under discontinuous or continuous conditions. Several methodologies with different economic/environmental costs and production yields have been described to carry out these ScFOS production stages, although industrial scale-up needs to be optimised. This review tries to address a revision about enzymatic ScFOS production methods and its scale-up to industrial levels.

Spread of multidrug-resistant IncHI1 plasmids carrying ESBL gene blaCTX-M-1 and metabolism operon of prebiotic oligosaccharides in commensal Escherichia coli from healthy horses, France

The objective of the study was to identify the genetic determinants and characteristics of expanded-spectrum cephalosporin (ESC) resistance in commensal Escherichia coli from healthy horses in France in 2015. Faecal samples from 744 adult horses were screened for ESC-resistant E. coli isolates. The extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)/AmpC resistance genes were identified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing. ESC phenotypes were horizontally transferred by conjugation or transformation. Plasmids carrying ESBL/AmpC genes were typed by PCR-based replicon typing, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), and plasmid multilocus sequence typing (pMLST). The ESC-resistant E. coli isolates were typed by XbaI macrorestriction analysis. Sixteen of 41 stables harboured at least one horse carrying ESC-resistant E. coli. The proportion of individually tested horses carrying ESC-resistant E. coli was 8.5% (28/328). Fifty non-redundant ESC-resistant E. coli isolates showing a great diversity of XbaI macrorestriction profiles belonged mainly to phylogroup B1, and were negative for major E. coli virulence genes, indicating they are commensal isolates. ESBL blaCTX-M genes were dominant (blaCTX-M-1, n=34; blaCTX-M-2, n=8; blaCTX-M-14, n=2) and located on conjugative plasmids belonging to various incompatibility groups (IncHI1, IncI1, IncN, IncY, or non-typeable). Among these, the multidrug-resistant IncHI1-pST9 plasmids were dominant and simultaneously harboured the blaCTX-M-1/2 genes and an operon enabling the metabolism of short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS). In conclusion, commensal E. coli of French horses displayed a significant distribution of IncHI1-pST9 plasmids carrying both the blaCTX-M-1/2 gene and the fos metabolism operon. This finding highlights the risk of co-selection of multidrug-resistant IncHI1 plasmids carrying ESBL genes possibly mediated by the use of scFOS as prebiotic in horses.

Production, Structural Characterization, and In Vitro Assessment of the Prebiotic Potential of Butyl-Fructooligosaccharides.

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), especially butyrate, produced in mammalian intestinal tracts via fermentation of dietary fiber, are known biofunctional compounds in humans. However, the variability of fermentable fiber consumed on a daily basis and the diversity of gut microbiota within individuals often limits the production of short-chain fatty acids in the human gut. In this study, we attempted to enhance the butyrate levels in human fecal samples by utilizing butyl-fructooligosaccharides (B-FOS) as a novel prebiotic substance. Two major types of B-FOS (GF3-1B and GF3-2B), composed of short-chain fructooligosaccharides (FOS) bound to one or two butyric groups by ester bonds, were synthesized. Qualitative analysis of these B-FOS using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and low-resolution fast-atom bombardment mass spectra (LR-FAB-MS), showed that the chemical structure of GF3-1B and GF3-2B were [O-(1-buty-β-D-fru-(2→1)-O-β-D-fru-(2→1)-O-β-D-fru-O-α-D-glu] and [O-(1-buty)-β-D-fru-(2→1)-O-β-D-fru-(2→1)-O-(4-buty)-β-D-fru-O-α-D-glu], respectively. The ratio of these two compounds was approximately 5:3. To verify their biofunctionality as prebiotic oligosaccharides, proliferation and survival patterns of human fecal microbiota were examined in vitro via 16S rRNA metagenomics analysis compared to a positive FOS control and a negative control without a carbon source. B-FOS treatment showed different enrichment patterns on the fecal microbiota community during fermentation, and especially stimulated the growth of major butyrate producing bacterial consortia and modulated specific butyrate producing pathways with significantly enhanced butyrate levels. Furthermore, the relative abundance of Fusobacterium and ammonia production with related metabolic genes were greatly reduced with B-FOS and FOS treatment compared to the control group. These findings indicate that B-FOS differentially promotes butyrate production through the enhancement of butyrate-producing bacteria and their metabolic genes, and can be applied as a novel prebiotic compound in vivo.

Removal of Small-Molecular Byproducts from Crude Fructo-Oligosaccharide Preparations by Fermentation Using the Endospore-Forming Probiotic Bacillus coagulans

Short-chain prebiotic fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) produced by enzymatic conversion from sucrose often contains high concentration of monosaccharides as byproducts. In addition to conventional physical/chemical purification processes, microbial treatment is an alternative method to remove these byproducts. We used Bacillus coagulans to reduce the abundance of byproducts during the enzymatic production of FOS. It is a promising probiotic because this thermophilic and spore-forming bacterium remains viable and stable during food processing and storage. B. coagulans also produces lactic acid during the carbohydrate metabolism and is used industrially to produce lactic acid for medical and food/feed applications. We aimed to establish an evaluation system to screen different strains of B. coagulans for their performance and selected B. coagulans Thorne for the treatment of crude FOS due to its high growth rate, high sporulation rate, and low nutrient requirements. B. coagulans preferentially utilized monosaccharides over other sugar components of the FOS mixture. Glucose and fructose were completely consumed during the fermentation but 85% (w/w) of the total FOS remained. At the end of the fermentation, the total viable cell count of B. coagulans Thorne was 9.9 × 108 cfu·mL−1 and the maximum endospore count was 2.42 × 104 cfu·mL−1.

Evaluation of the performance of an engineered β-fructofuranosidase from Aspergillus fijiensis to produce short-chain fructooligosaccharides from industrial sugar streams

Abstract An engineered β-fructofuranosidase, GAPfopA_V1, was compared to the native enzyme, GAPfopA, to produce short-chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS) from white and brown sugar (commercial table sugar), and refinery and A-molasses (refinery mill and sugar mill, respectively). The minimum reaction temperature and enzyme dosage required to produce scFOS with a composition similar to that of a commercial prebiotic product, consisting of oligomers with 2–4 fructose moieties, were determined using response surface methodology. At 62 °C and 10 U/g sucrose, the GAPfopA_V1 resulted in a 28% and 25% decrease in reaction time required to reach the target scFOS composition, in comparison to the native enzyme, using white and brown sugar as substrate, respectively. Whereas the target scFOS composition could not be reached using refinery molasses, this composition was reached with A-molasses using both enzymes, where GAPfopA had a 6% shorter reaction time than GAPfopA_V1.

Production of Short Chain Fructo-oligosaccharides from Inulin of Chicory Root Using Fungal Endoinulinase.

Short chain fructo-oligosaccharides (SC-FOS) are the potential prebiotics possessing diverse applications in both food and feed industries. The present study was aimed to extract inulin from chicory roots followed by its conversion into SC-FOS applying endoinulinase from Aspergillus fumigatus. The inulin was extracted from chicory roots through boiling in hot water, followed by precipitation with ethanol at room temperature or freezing condition. Maximum yield (42%) of inulin was obtained with three volumes of chilled absolute ethanol at room temperature. HPLC analysis of enzymatic hydrolysate detected kestose (GF2), nystose (GF3), and other FOS having higher degree of polymerization (DP). Maximum GF2 (5.79mg/ml) was detected at temperature 50°C, pH5.5 with 2U of enzyme dose after 6h of hydrolysis; while maximum GF3 (4.33mg/ml) was recorded at 60°C, 5.5 pH with 0.5U enzyme dose after 2h of hydrolysis. Nevertheless, complete hydrolysis of inulin was noticed with 99% total oligosaccharide yield at 55°C, 5.5 pH with 0.5U enzyme dose after 4h of hydrolysis with negligible amount of mono- and di-saccharides. The present finding demonstrated the process for higher yield of inulin from chicory roots followed by its conversion into SC-FOS applying fungal endoinulinase.

PSI-36 Effect of short-chain fructooligosaccharides on Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in mature and senior stock-type horses

Abstract Oxidative stress (OS) causes health complications through the destruction of cellular components as individuals age. Reactive oxygen species are used to measure OS through Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Other prebiotics have been used to reduce OS markers in numerous species; however, the effect of short-chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS) on OS has not been studied in the horse. Ten healthy stock-type horses were blocked by age into 2 groups: mature (MA; n = 5; 7.0 ± 0.87 yr) and senior (SR; n = 5; 22.6 ± 1.1 yr) to analyze effects of scFOS on TEAC and TBARS. Horses were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 diets for 25 d before transition to another diet. Diets were bermudagrass hay offered at 1.5% BW/d hay as-fed, hay with a ration balancer (CON), or hay with a ration balancer and scFOS added at a rate of 2.5 g/kg (PRE). Prior to a total fecal collection for an alternate study, horses were fasted overnight for 8 h with blood samples taken immediately prior to feeding (0), 30, and 60 min postprandial. Oxidative stress markers were analyzed for the 2 ration balancer diets. Statistical analysis was performed with SAS using the MIXED procedure with horse within diet as a random effect with significance of P ≤ 0.05. Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity was unaffected by diet (P = 0.827) or age (P = 0.347). Time (P = 0.006) was significant for TBARS which increased postprandial regardless of treatment or age. Consistent with other species, higher levels of OS was found in SR compared to MA regardless of time or diet (P = 0.037; 4.491 µM vs. 3.412 µM TBARS, respectively). These results indicate that scFOS do not seem to be effective in reducing OS in SR and MA horses.

Provitamin D3 modulation through prebiotics supplementation: simulation based assessment

Vitamin D is important in multiple health conditions. Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent globally even with exposure to adequate sunlight. Reduction in provitamin D3 (7-dehydrocholesterol, 7-DHC) is an important cause of vitamin D3 deficiency. Vitamin supplementation, food fortification, and use of probiotics are some approaches to reduce vitamin D3 deficiency. This study investigates plausibility of 7-DHC biosynthesis through dietary prebiotics supplementation. Furthermore, it reports mechanistic details and constraints for the biosynthesis using flux balance analysis (FBA) simulations. The FBA simulations using co-metabolism models comprising human host and a resident bacterium (Faecalibacterium prausnitzii or Bacteroides thetaiotamicron) indicated increased flux of 7-DHC with short-chain fructooligosaccharide (scFOS) or inulin supplementation. We observed around 2-fold increase in flux compared to the baseline. Biosynthesis of 7-DHC was primarily modulated through acetate, pyruvate and lactate secreted by the bacterium. We observed diverse mechanisms and dose dependent responses. We extended this assessment to 119 resident bacteria and investigated the metabolites profiles with prebiotics supplementation. In summary, the current study suggests the potential use of applying prebiotics in enhancing 7-DHC biosynthesis. Furthermore, performance of the different gut bacteria with prebiotic supplementation for secreted metabolites profile is reported. These results may be useful to design future clinical studies.

Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides alleviates oxidized oil-induced intestinal dysfunction in piglets associated with the modulation of gut microbiota

In this study, the protective effects of short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS) on oxidized oil feeding-induced intestinal dysfunction were evaluated. Piglets were fed either a control diet, an oxidized oil diet, or an oxidized oil diet supplemented with scFOS (4 g/kg diet) for 28 days. The results showed that scFOS increased the expression of tight junction proteins and decreased the production of malondialdehyde and pro-inflammatory cytokines in jejunum of oxidized oil-challenged piglets. In addition, scFOS mitigated oxidized oil-dependent changes in the relative abundances of Prevotella_9, Bacteroides, Campylobacter, and Lactobacillus back to normal status as well as restored the colonic butyric acid production of oxidized oil-treated piglets. Hence, scFOS consumption alleviated oxidized oil-induced intestinal barrier injury, redox imbalance, and inflammation associated with the alterations of microbiota composition, suggesting that scFOS could be used to prevent intestinal dysfunction caused by oxidized oil in both human and animal nutrition.

In vitro effects of Bifidobacterium lactis-based synbiotics on human faecal bacteria.

Synbiotic supplements contain pre- and probiotics and are used to modulate gut microbiota composition. This study aimed to investigate effects of two synbiotic mixtures on human faecal bacteria in vitro. Short chain fructooligosaccharides (FOS) (1% w/v) combined with either Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12 or Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 (106 colony-forming units (CFU)/mL)] were added to pH-controlled anaerobic batch cultures inoculated with human faeces. Maltodextrin (1% w/v), FOS (1% w/v) and the probiotic strains were also tested individually. Effects on bacteria, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs) were assessed over 48 h. With maltodextrin, FOS and the synbiotic mixtures, there was a significant increase in total bacteria and bifidobacteria numbers, compared to the negative control or probiotics alone. Increases in Atopobium cluster and Clostridium coccoides-Eubacterium rectale group occurred with FOS and maltodextrin, respectively. Additionally, maltodextrin, FOS and synbiotics resulted in a greater production of acetate and butyrate (SCFAs) compared to the negative control and probiotics alone, whereas concentrations of iso-valerate (BCFA) were lower with these treatments. In conclusion, synbiotic-induced in vitro bacterial changes and changes in SCFAs concentrations were not different from those observed with FOS alone. These data suggest that metabolic effects of these synbiotics are largely driven by the prebiotic component.

Effects of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) on growth, survival, gut microflora, stress, and immune response in Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, cultured in a recirculating system

ABSTRACTThe present study investigated the effects of short-chain fructooligosaccharides (FOS) as dietary supplements on stress, immune response, gut microbiota, growth, and survivability of three different treatment groups of Pacific white shrimp, Litopaneous vennamei, cultured in a recirculating system. The experiment was conducted over a 35-day trial period. Shrimps were fed diets, 15 times a day using automated feeder, supplemented with GOS at 0%, 0.15%, and 0.30% by weight. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis revealed that the enteric microbial community of shrimp fed the basal diet differed markedly (<80.0% similarity coefficient) from those fed FOS-supplemented diets. However, shrimp survival, weight gain, and immune responses among the treatment groups were good but not significantly different (P > 0.05), probably due to the limited length of the feeding trial.