Soluble Dietary Fiber Research Articles

Effect of ultrasonic-cellulase treatment towards bamboo shoot (Gigantochloa albociliata) powder properties

This study was to evaluate the optimum condition of ultrasonic-cellulase treatment for the highest conversion of insoluble to soluble dietary fibre in bamboo shoot powder. The interaction between independent variables (frequency, time and cellulase concentration) with response variables (water holding capacity, oil holding capacity and swelling capacity) was evaluated and optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) coupled with a Central Composite Design (CCD). The results showed that the optimum condition of ultrasonic-cellulase treatment was as follows, the ultrasonic frequency at 21 Hz, ultrasonic time at 5 mins, and cellulase concentration at 30 mg/g of bamboo shoot powder. The model generated by RSM was validated since all the percentage errors for all the responses were less than 5%. A comparison between treated and untreated bamboo shoot powder was performed where treated bamboo shoot powder showed significant differences from untreated bamboo shoot powder in terms of water holding capacity (85.68%), oil holding capacity (39.45%) and swelling capacity (50.75%) with P<0.05. In conclusion, the result indicated that ultrasonic-cellulase treatment on the conversion of the insoluble to soluble dietary fibre in bamboo shoot powder had been successfully achieved.

Bioactive Compounds, Health Benefits and Food Applications of Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) and Artichoke By-Products: A Review

Cynara scolymus L. is an herbaceous plant originally from the western Mediterranean area, with Italy, Spain and France the main being producers. Both the edible flowering head and the by-products generated during processing (outer bracts, leaves and stem) are characterized by a high content of essential vitamins, minerals and bioactive compounds. In particular, the leaves represent a great source of phenolic acids derived from caffeoylquinic acid or flavonoids such as luteonin and apigenin, while the head and stem contain a high content of soluble and insoluble dietary fiber, especially inulin and pectins. Its high content of bioactive compounds provides artichoke a high antioxidant power due to the modulation effect of the transcription factor Nrf2, which may lead to protection against cardiovascular, hepatic and neurological disorders. The potential use of artichoke as a functional ingredient in the food industry may be promising in terms of improving the nutritional value of products, as well as preventing oxidation and extending the shelf-life of processed foods due to its antimicrobial activity. This review aims to provide an overview of the nutritional qualities of Cynara scolymus L. and its by-products, focusing on the possible health effects and potential applications in food products as a higher-value-added alternative ingredient.

Skeletal muscle metabolic dysfunction with circulating carboxymethyl-lysine in dietary food additive-induced leaky gut.

Impaired intestinal permeability induces systemic inflammation and metabolic disturbance. The effect of a leaky gut on metabolism in skeletal muscle, a major nutrient consumer, remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the glucose metabolic function of the whole body and skeletal muscles in a mouse model of diet-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction. At Week 2, we observed higher intestinal permeability in mice fed a titanium dioxide (TiO2)-containing diet than that of mice fed a normal control diet. Subsequently, systemic glucose and insulin tolerance were found to be impaired. In the skeletal muscle, glucose uptake and phosphorylation levels in insulin signaling were lower in the TiO2 group than those in the control group. Additionally, the levels of pro-inflammatory factors were higher in TiO2-fed mice than those in the control group. We observed higher carboxymethyl-lysin (CML) levels in the plasma and intestines of TiO2-fed mice and lower insulin-dependent glucose uptake in CML-treated cultured myotubes than those in the controls. Finally, soluble dietary fiber supplementation improved glucose and insulin intolerance, suppressed plasma CML, and improved intestinal barrier function. These results suggest that an impaired intestinal barrier leads to systemic glucose intolerance, which is associated with glucose metabolism dysfunction in the skeletal muscles due to circulating CML derived from the intestine. This study highlights that the intestinal condition regulates muscle and systemic metabolic health.

Dietary Fibre, In-Vitro Starch and Protein Digestibility, Glycemic Index, and Acceptability of Whole Wheat-African Breadfruit Seed Based Fibre-Rich Bread Bars

The study was carried out to elucidate the suitability and utilization of African breadfruit (Treculia africana) seed flour in the development of bread bars. Whole wheat and whole African breadfruit seeds were processed to flours and bread bars were developed from the flour blends in the ratio of 100:0, 95:5, 90:10, 85:15, 80:20, 75:25 and 0:100% respectively. The bread bars were evaluated of their proximate composition, in-vitro starch and protein digestibility, glycemic index, total dietary fibre and organoleptic properties. African breadfruit flours inclusion in the development of the bread bar showed that protein (11.60-15.15 %) and crude fibre (2.82 – 4.04 %) increased with increase breadfruit flour inclusion, but there was a noticeable decrease (74.37-65.97 %) in the carbohydrate content. Soluble dietary fibre (SDF = 7.56 – 4.05 %) decreased while insoluble (IDF = 10.62 – 16.20 %) and total dietary fibre (TDF = 18.18 – 21.45 %) increased significantly (p<0.05) with increasing African breadfruit flour inclusion. In vitro glycemic index (IVGI) and starch digestibility (IVSD) decreased significantly (p<0.05) from 94.52 – 80.46 % and 70.62 – 49.14 % respectively, with increasing substitution of African breadfruit seed flour. In vitro protein digestibility ranged from 75.85 to 86.92 %. With reference to standard classifications, the formulated African breadfruit seed-based bread bars could be referred to as ‘high fibre’ and ‘low glycemic’ foods, and may have positive health benefit to the consumers, especially the diabetics and those interested in weight management.

Comparative Analysis of Structural and Functional Properties of Dietary Fiber from Four Grape Varieties.

Muscadine grapes are characterized by their large and abundant seeds and hard and thick skins that contain significant amounts of dietary fiber (DF). The current study investigated the chemical constituents, molecular architecture, and physicochemical attributes of DF derived from Muscadine grapes (Granny Val and Alachua) and compared them with those derived from Shine Muscat and Kyoho. Using a combined enzymatic method, the total dietary fiber (TDF) was extracted and divided into two parts: soluble dietary fiber (SDF) and insoluble dietary fiber (IDF). TDF (mainly IDF, with a small fraction of SDF) was dominated by cellulose, followed by pectin and hemicellulose. In addition, Granny Val and Alachua had a significantly higher abundance of TDF and IDF compared with Shine Muscat and Kyoho. Moreover, Shine Muscat had significantly the highest abundance of SDF among the four grape varieties. Of note, IDF from Granny Val and Alachua exhibited a complex and dense texture on its surface, and notably outperformed Shine Muscat and Kyoho in terms of cholesterol, fatty acid, heavy metal adsorption, and antioxidant activity. Collectively, Muscadine grapes, i.e., Granny Val and Alachua in the current study, possessed elevated DF levels (predominantly IDF), and their enhanced bioactivity underscored their potential as a potential food ingredient for further use.

Colonic fermentation of enzymatically treated cocoa bean shells (CBSs) and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production.

Cocoa bean shells (CBSs) are a by-product of the cocoa production chain characterized by a substantial dietary fiber (DF) content. The aim of this work was the evaluation of the prebiotic activity of DF from raw CBSs as well as defatted and dephenolized CBSs (polyphenols in their free form) treated with different enzymes mixtures to increase the fermentable fiber portion. Fermentability was tested through an in vitro model of colon fermentation using microbiota selectively adapted to more proximal and most distal compartments of the colon. Results showed a significant amount of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced, particularly acetate, from fermentation of the lipid- and polyphenols-free CBS treated with the cellulase mixture. In both colonic regions, this sample boosted the production of SCFAs, suggesting the potential usefulness of this enzyme-driven processing to improve the prebiotic effect of CBS. Despite these findings, there was not a change in the DF content of the enzymatically treated samples, especially regarding the soluble dietary fiber (SDF) fraction. This outcome suggests that a structural change may have occurred in the fiber fraction increasing its fermentability. These outcomes open a new scenario in the bio-valorization of CBSs, in accordance with the concept of circular economy.

Influence of high hydrostatic pressure treatment on the soluble dietary fiber content and physicochemical characteristics of edamame

We used non-thermal high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) technology to process edamame to increase the soluble dietary fiber content of the product. We also comprehensively explored the impact of HHP on the functional properties and fiber structure of edamame. Edamame was treated at a high pressure of 600 MPa for 5-, 10-, and 15-min. Edamame treated with HHP exhibited elevated water-holding, oil-holding, and water-swelling capacities, which were attributed to alterations in the fiber structure. Scanning electron microscopy, used to assess the porous characteristics of the surface, revealed gaps that could retain liquid. This structural modification facilitated enhanced invitro performance in cholesterol adsorption and bile acid-binding force tests. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the broken fibers strengthened the (101) crystal plane of fiber crystal I; the reduction in crystallinity caused the fibers to form a loose structure under thermal stability, which increased the water retention and swelling properties. HHP destroyed part of the fiber structure, contributing to the altered functional properties. The findings indicate that HHP treatment adds significant value to edamame, making it a promising raw material for developing functional foods and healthcare products.

Developing high resistant starch content rice noodles with superior quality: A method using modified rice flour and psyllium fiber

The effects of high-resistant starch (RS) content rice flour, psyllium husk powder (PHP), and psyllium powder (PP) on the edible quality and starch digestibility of rice noodles were investigated in this study. High-RS rice noodles showed lower digestibility but poor edible quality. With the addition of PHP and PP, high-RS rice noodles' cooking and texture quality were improved significantly, especially the breakage rates, cooking losses, and chewiness (P < 0.05). Compared to traditional white rice noodle's estimated glycemic index (eGI) of 86.69, the eGI values for 5PHP-RN and 5PHP-2PP-RN were significantly decreased to 66.74 and 65.77, achieving a medium GI status (P < 0.05). This resulted from the high amylose and lipid content in the modified rice flour and psyllium, leading to increase of starch crystallinity. Besides, based on the analysis of Pearson's correlation, it can be found that PHP rich in insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) could improve high-RS noodle cooking and texture quality better, while PP rich in soluble dietary fiber (SDF) can further reduce the RDS content and its starch digestibility. Therefore, utilizing modified rice flour with an appropriate addition of PHP and PP can be considered an effective strategy for producing superior-quality lower glycemic index rice noodles.

FIBRE EFFECTS ON NUTRITION AND REPRODUCTION IN PIGS

Dietary fibre (DF) is an indigestible carbohydrate in the form of a non-starch polysaccharide that is a major problem in the use of inexpensive agro-wastes by pigs such as brewer's dry grains, cassava peel, palm kernel cake, rice bran, sorghum spent grain and wheat offal. The DF in a pig's diet can be classified by its solubility as soluble dietary fibre and insoluble dietary fibre, and chemically − as neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre. High DF levels reduced nutrient utilization, growth rate, in terms of pork production and reproductive performance. Pigs' reproductive cycles at different stages and lactation were both greatly impacted by increased DF intake. High DF decreased the number of stillborn piglets at birth and the farrowing duration by sow, while improving colostrum intake in piglets and colostrum yield in sows. On the other hand, reducing the quantity of DF's hemicellulose in a sow's lactation diet can improve the low-birth-weight piglets' health, post-weaning performance and milk composition. While exogenous enzymes and the extrusion of fibrous feedstuffs enhanced nutrient digestibility and utilisation, other processing methods, including fermentation and extrusion, decreased the DF components and had a beneficial impact on the performance of the pigs. Agro-industrial residues have enormous potential to improve reproductive efficiency and serving as an economically viable DF feeding strategy in the pig industry.

Development of a protocol for fractionating and characterising fibres from lignocellulosic food waste

This study aims to explore an advanced protocol for characterising dietary fibre (DF) fractions to meet the growing demand for accurate and reliable data. Although current enzymatic-gravimetric approaches, e.g., AOAC and Van Soest analysis, provide information about soluble and insoluble DF quantification, they present limitations related to the lack of fractions characterisation. To overcome these limitations, the proposed protocol integrates the official AOAC 991.43 method with the sequential fibre fractionation by exploiting the different resistance of the fibre fractions to acid hydrolysis treatments (TFA and H2SO4), utilising hazelnut shells as a case-study. Each hydrolysed fraction was quantified and characterised through GC–MS analysis of monosaccharides. The data obtained for hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin fractions were then discussed and compared with the Van Soest method. This approach yields a comprehensive procedure applicable to different food and nutraceutical products, emphasising the importance of DF characterisation for a deeper understanding of their bio-functional properties.

A Gestational Pectin Diet Could Improve the Health of Multiparous Sows by Modulating the Gut Microbiota and Cytokine Level during Late Pregnancy.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of the dietary fiber pectin on the gut microbiota and health of parturient sows. A total of 30 parity 5-7, multiparous gestation sows (Large White × Landrace) were randomly assigned to two treatment groups after mating: Con (control, basic diet) and Pec (pectin, 3%). The sows received the two diets during gestation, and all sows were fed the same standard basic diet during lactation. The results of β-diversity showed that the composition of the gut microbiota was different in the Con and Pec groups. Compared with the sows in the Con group, the Pec sows showed a higher abundance of the gut bacteria Clostridium and Romboutsia and a lower abundance of harmful bacteria (Micrococcaceae, Coriobacteriaceae, Dorea, Actinomyces). On the other hand, the SCFA plasma concentration was increased in the Pec group, while pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α) concentrations were decreased. In conclusion, the soluble dietary fiber pectin could improve the reproductive performance and health of sows by increasing the abundance of some commensal bacteria enhancing the metabolite SCFA levels and reducing the pro-inflammatory cytokine plasma levels.

Research on pear residue dietary fiber and Monascus pigments extracted through liquid fermentation.

Pear residue, a byproduct of pear juice extraction, is rich in soluble sugar, vitamins, minerals, and cellulose. This study utilized Monascus anka in liquid fermentation to extract dietary fiber (DF) from pear residue, and the structural and functional characteristics of the DF were analyzed. Soluble DF (SDF) content was increased from 7.9/100g to 12.6g/100g, with a reduction of average particle size from 532.4 to 383.0nm by fermenting with M. anka. Scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopic analysis revealed more porous and looser structures in Monascus pear residue DF (MPDF). Water-, oil-holding, and swelling capacities of MPDF were also enhanced. UV-visible spectral analysis showed that the yield of yellow pigment in Monascus pear residue fermentation broth (MPFB) was slightly higher than that in the Monascus blank control fermentation broth. The citrinin content in MPFB and M. anka seed broth was 0.90 and 0.98ug/mL, respectively. Therefore, liquid fermentation with M. anka improved the structural and functional properties of MPDF, suggesting its potential as a functional ingredient in food.

Comprehensive assessment of the anti-obesity effects of highland barley total, insoluble, and soluble dietary fiber through multi-omics analysis

The impact of different forms of dietary fiber (total, insoluble or soluble) derived from the same source on health remains incompletely understood. In this study, the effects of total, insoluble, and soluble dietary fiber extracted from highland barley (HDF, HIDF, and HSDF) on combating obesity were evaluated and compared. A high-fat diet (HFD) was used to induce obesity in a murine model, followed by gavage administration of HDF, HIDF, or HSDF, and a comprehensive multi-omics approach was utilized to assess and compare the effects of these dietary fibers on obesity-related parameters. The results showed that all three dietary fibers significantly reduced body weight, modified blood lipid profiles, and ameliorated tissue damage in HFD-fed mice. Additionally, 16S rRNA sequencing analysis of mice feces showed that three types of dietary fiber exerted varying degrees of impact on the composition and abundance of gut microbiota while simultaneously promoting the biosynthesis of short-chain fatty acids. Specifically, HDF supplementation remarkably enhanced the abundance of Coprococcus, while HIDF and HSDF supplementation elevated the levels of Akkermansia and Allobaculum, respectively. Transcriptomic and proteomic results suggested the PPAR signaling pathway as a central regulatory mechanism influenced by these fibers. HDF and HIDF were particularly effective in modulating biological processes related to triglyceride and fatty acid metabolism, identifying Abcc3 and Dapk1 as potential targets. Conversely, HSDF primarily affected processes related to membrane lipids, ceramides, and phospholipids metabolism, with Pck1 identified as a potential target. Collectively, HDF, HIDF, and HSDF demonstrated distinct mechanisms in exerting exceptional anti-obesity properties. These insights may inform the development of personalized dietary interventions for obesity.

Dietary fibre profiling of various edible parts of winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus L.): Pods, whole seeds, endosperms, seed coats, and cooked seeds

This study aimed to identify the dietary fibre profiles of various winged bean components (green pods, whole seeds, endosperms, seed coats, and canned whole seeds). Soluble dietary fibre (SDF), insoluble dietary fibre (IDF) (hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin), total dietary fibre (TDF), and oligosaccharide components (raffinose, stachyose, and verbascose), were analyzed. The various winged bean components had a higher IDF content than SDF content (21.12–50.11% and 0.83–1.25%, respectively), with the highest TDF content observed in the seed coat (51.81%). Raffinose was the most dominant oligosaccharide component in green pods (2.7 mg/g), while verbascose was the most dominant component in all seed form samples, including seed coats (1.41–3.65 mg/g). The IDF in all samples was dominated by cellulose (5.07–39.34%), followed by hemicellulose (1.5–27.19%), and lignin (0.09–0.98%). Seed dehusking led to significant decreases in all types of dietary fibre analyzed, except for stachyose. Soaking and sterilization processes resulted in an increase in SDF, but decreased IDF, stachyose, verbascose, and hemicellulose compared to raw whole seeds. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that raw whole seeds still exhibit similarities in dietary fibre composition with canned seeds, but differ from green pods, endosperms, and seed coats. These findings imply that all edible parts of winged beans offer a large quantity of dietary fibre, especially whole seeds, which have potential benefits as prebiotic sources to improve health.

Functional properties and structure of soluble dietary fiber obtained from rice bran with steam explosion treatment

Rice bran was modified by steam explosion (SE) treatment to investigate the effect of different steam pressure (0.4, 0.8, 1.2, 1.6, and 2.0 MPa) with rice bran through 60 mesh and rice bran pulverization (60, 80, and 100 mesh) with the steam pressure of 1.2 MPa on the functional properties and structure of soluble dietary fiber (SDF) from SE-treated rice bran. SE pretreatment enhanced glucose and cholesterol adsorption capacity, water-holding capacity, oil-holding capacity, lipase inhibition capacity and anti-oxidation properties of SDF. However, functional properties of SDF were adversely affected when steam pressure was 2.0 MPa or crushing degree of rice bran was 100 mesh. The results showed that some glycosidic and hydrogen bonds were broken, resulting in a porous honeycomb structure and decreased polymerization degree of the crystalline regions and relative crystallinity in SDF from SE-treated rice bran. In general, the optimum condition for obtaining better properties of SDF was treated for rice bran at the steam pressure of 1.2 MPa and sieve size of 60 mesh. This finding emphasizes essential information on SE treatment of rice bran in modifying the properties of SDF, which is helpful to the development and utilization of SDF from SE-treated rice bran.

Bigel Matrix Loaded with Probiotic Bacteria and Prebiotic Dietary Fibers from Berry Pomace Suitable for the Development of Probiotic Butter Spread Product.

This study presents a novel approach to developing a probiotic butter spread product. We evaluated the prebiotic activity of soluble dietary fibers extracted from cranberry and sea buckthorn berry pomace with different probiotic strains (Limosilactobacillus reuteri, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum), uploaded selected compatible combination in the bigel matrix, and applied it in the probiotic butter spread formulation. Bigels and products were characterized by physical stability, rheological, textural properties, and viability of probiotics during storage at different conditions. The highest prebiotic activity score was observed in soluble cranberry (1.214 ± 0.029) and sea buckthorn (1.035 ± 0.009) fibers when cultivated with L. reuteri. The bigels loaded with probiotics and prebiotic fiber exhibited a significant increase in viscosity (higher consistency coefficient 40-45 Pa·sn) and better probiotic viability (>6 log CFU/g) during long-term storage at +4 °C temperature, surpassing the bigels loaded with probiotics alone. Bigels stored at a lower temperature (-18 °C) maintained high bacterial viability (above 8.5 log CFU/g). The butter spread enriched with the bigel matrix was softer (7.6-14.2 N), indicating improved spreadability. The butter spread product consistently met the required 6 log CFU/g for a functional probiotic food product until 60 days of storage at +4 °C temperature. The butter stored at -18 °C remained probiotic throughout the entire storage period, confirming the protective effect of the bigel matrix. The study's results showed the potential of the bigel to co-encapsulate, protect, and deliver probiotics during prolonged storage under different conditions.

POSSIBILITIES OF OBTAINING AND VALORIZING DIETARY FIBERS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE CIRCULAR BIOECONOMY

This article aimed to review the recent literature on the characterization of dietary fibers and their role in the human body, focusing on the methods of extraction of dietary fibers from agro-food waste as well as their use in various areas of the food industry. Dietary fibers are biologically active substances with beneficial effects on human health. Soluble dietary fiber is involved in reducing cholesterol levels and blood sugar levels, while insoluble dietary fiber helps regulate intestinal transit and maintain colon health. It would be useful to identify the extraction procedures and characterization of dietary fibers from agro-food waste. Fruit waste contains relevant amounts of bioactive compounds, such as: phenolic acids, flavonoids, lignins, carotenoids, etc. In addition, fruit waste contains significant amounts of dietary fiber with nutraceutical important activities, such as modulating the intestinal microbiota, lowering cholesterol, triglycerides and glycemic load in the blood. Hence, obtaining dietary fiber from agro-industrial waste can solve a number of economic and environmental problems that aim reducing waste, increasing the sustainability and profitability of companies in the Republic of Moldova. Dietary fiber can be used in various types of food, such as products of bakery and confectionery, meat, dairy products, and pasta. They can be used as stabilizers with an impact on food texture or ingredients with low caloric value, partially replacing caloric constituents such as fats, starch or sugars. Another important property is the prebiotic effect of dietary fibers. This property is determined by the fact that dietary fibers are indigestible or poorly digestible and are fermented selectively by intestinal microbiota, conferring health benefits to the host.

Autoclaving-treated germinated brown rice relieves hyperlipidemia by modulating gut microbiota in humans.

Germinated brown rice is a functional food with a promising potential for alleviating metabolic diseases. This study aimed to explore the hypolipidemic effects of autoclaving-treated germinated brown rice (AGBR) and the underlying mechanisms involving gut microbiota. Dietary intervention with AGBR or polished rice (PR) was implemented in patients with hyperlipidemia for 3 months, and blood lipids were analyzed. Nutritional characteristics of AGBR and PR were measured and compared. Additionally, 16S rDNA sequencing was performed to reveal the differences in gut microbiota between the AGBR and PR groups. AGBR relieves hyperlipidemia in patients, as evidenced by reduced levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoprotein-B, and elevated levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein-A1. In terms of nutrition, AGBR had significantly higher concentrations of free amino acids (10/16 species), γ-aminobutyric acid, resistant starch, soluble dietary fiber, and flavonoids (11/13 species) than PR. In addition, higher microbial abundance, diversity, and uniformity were observed in the AGBR group than in the PR group. At the phylum level, AGBR reduced Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Desulfobacterota, and Synergistota, and elevated Bacteroidota and Verrucomicrobiota. At the genus level, AGBR elevated Bacteroides, Faecalibacterium, Dialister, Prevotella, and Bifidobacterium, and reduced Escherichia-Shigella, Blautia, Romboutsia, and Turicibacter. AGBR contributes to the remission of hyperlipidemia by modulating the gut microbiota.

Soluble dietary fiber from Dendrocalamus brandisii (Munro) Kurz shoot improves liver injury by regulating gut microbial disorder in mice

Bamboo shoot has long been regarded as a nutritious and healthy food. It is low in calorie and rich in high-quality dietary fiber (DF), making them a potential DF resource. However, the protective mechanism of soluble dietary fibers from Dendrocalamus brandisii (Munro) Kurz shoot (DS-SDF) on methionine and choline deficient (MCD) diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is still unclear. This study was aimed to investigate the regulation of DS-SDF on gut microbiota in MCD diet-induced mice and its potential protective effect on liver injury. The NAFLD model was induced by the MCD diet for 8 weeks. Through observation of changes in liver function and gut microorganisms, it was found that DS-SDF supplementation could inhibit liver inflammation, improve liver injury, regulate the diversity of gut microorganisms, increase the abundance of beneficial bacteria and short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria, and reverse the gut disorders induced by the MCD diet in mice. This study showed that DS-SDF supplementation could treat NAFLD by regulating gut microbiota composition, improving liver function, and inhibiting the inflammatory response. It might broaden the idea of high-value utilization of DS-SDF.

Soluble Dietary Fiber from Citrus unshiu Peel Promotes Antioxidant Activity in Oxidative Stress Mice and Regulates Intestinal Microecology

Aging is characterized by the progressive degeneration of bodily tissues and decline in physiological functions, a process that may be exacerbated by imbalances in intestinal flora. Soluble dietary fiber (PSDF) from Citrus unshiu peel has demonstrated strong free radical scavenging ability to regulate intestinal flora in vitro. However, further evidence is required to ascertain the effectiveness of PSDF in vivo. In our study, 8-week-old mice were artificially aged through subcutaneous injections of a 200 mg/kg/d D-galactose solution for 42 days, followed by a 28-day dietary intervention with varying doses of PSDF, insoluble dietary fiber (PIDF), and vitamin C. After the intervention, we observed a significant mitigation of D-galactose-induced oxidative stress, as evident by weight normalization and reduced oxidative damage. 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that PSDF significantly altered the composition of intestinal flora, increasing Firmicutes and reducing Bacteroidota percentages, while also enriching colonic short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Spearman correlation analysis further identified a positive correlation between Firmicutes and isovaleric acid, and negative correlations between Muribaculaceae and acetic acid, and between Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group and caproic acid. These findings support the potential of Citrus PSDF to alleviate oxidative stress.