Soybean Oligosaccharide Research Articles

Effect of ultrasound on heated soybean isolate protein-soybean oligosaccharide glycation conjugate acid-induced emulsion gels and their applications as carriers of zeaxanthin

The acid-induced emulsion gels were prepared by heated soybean isolate protein (HSPI)-soybean oligosaccharide (SOS) glycation conjugates with ultrasonic treatment at 200 W for 10, 20 and 30 min, which were used as carriers of zeaxanthin. The structural characteristics of HSPI-SOS conjugates, the properties of conjugate emulsion gels and the delivery for zeaxanthin were investigated. The appropriate ultrasound increased glycation degree between HSPI and SOS, and inhibited the formation of browning products, leading to more disordered secondary structure and less compact tertiary conformation of conjugates, which promoted the exposure of hydrophobic groups, the reduction of free sulfhydryl groups and the enhancement of thermal stability. The ultrasonic HSPI-SOS conjugate emulsion gels exhibited smoother and denser microstructure with smaller and more evenly distributed oil droplets, which improved gel hardness, water holding capacity and rheological parameter, resulting in the reinforcement of physical stability of conjugate emulsion gels during heat and pH treatment. Furthermore, the ultrasonic treatment enhanced the chemical stability of zeaxanthin encapsulated in conjugate emulsion gels under light treatment and delayed the chemical degradation of zeaxanthin, which indicated that the ultrasonic treatment facilitated the protective effect of conjugate emulsion gels on zeaxanthin. The bioaccessibility of zeaxanthin encapsulated in conjugate emulsion gels was improved by ultrasonic treatment. Therefore, ultrasound-glycation treatment could be used to modify the structure of proteins to improve the physicochemical stability of conjugate emulsion gels, which exhibited excellent application potential in the encapsulation, protection and delivery for zeaxanthin.

Addition of various prebiotic sources on intestinal bacteria and growth performance of broiler given microparticle protein composed-diet

The research objective was to determine how the feeding diet made of microparticle protein combined with prebiotic sources affected broilers’ intestinal bacteria and growth performance. Micronized fish meals and soybean meals were produced. Inulin, glucomannan, and soybean oligosaccharide were obtained from extracts of the dahlia tuber (DTE), porang tuber (PTE), and soybean meal (SME), respectively. A completely randomized design with four treatments (D1: 21% intact protein (control), D2: 18% microparticle protein + 1.2% DTE, D3: 18% microparticle protein + 0.3% PTE, and D4: 18% microparticle protein + 0.2% SME) and six replication (8 birds each) was assigned. Protein digestibility, H/L ratio, growth performance, lactic acid bacteria (LAB), E. coli, and other variables were exposed to ANOVA and the Duncan test with a 5% probability. Except for FCR, all parameters were substantially (p0.05) higher when prebiotic sources were included in the diet compared to the control group (D1). However, D3‘s LAB population and H/L ratio were the same compared to other treatments, and feed consumption was the same across all treatments. Supplementing a diet with microparticle protein with inulin from dahlia tubers and soy-oligosaccharide of soybean meal extracts improves growth performance, which is supported by an increase in LAB population and more easily digestible protein with a lower H/L ratio

Prebiotics as Adjunctive Therapy in Diabetes: A Review of Prebiotics in Diabetes

Abstract: Prebiotic compounds are used by the host microbiome and confer health benefits to the host. Food intake affects the composition of the gut microbiome. The number and composition of gut flora have been linked to metabolic diseases. Diabetes is a chronic condition that alters blood sugar levels. The main form of energy for the body is blood glucose, which is produced from the food. Nutritional interventions can be used to manage blood sugar levels. There are different types of compounds that can be used as prebiotics such as; Inulin-type fructans, Trans-galactooligosaccharides, Lactulose, Isomaltooligosaccharide, Lactosucrose, Xylooligosaccharides, Soybean oligosaccharide, and Glucooligosaccharides. Research evidence suggests that prebiotic consumption supports or improves the gut microbiome, inhibits reactive oxygen species production (ROS), reduces serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) levels, reduces oxidative stress, inhibits NF-κB activation process, reduces inflammation, improves dysfunction, improves insulin resistance, decreases malondialdehyde levels in serum, improves glucose tolerance, decreases intestinal permeability, inhibits α-glucosidase and improves glycemic control. This review focuses on the potential of prebiotic use as adjuvant therapy in diabetes.

Study on Processing Technology of Pickled Radish

The work aimed at the effects of salt, soybean oligosaccharide and perilla-bean sprout juice on pH, nitrite content and sensory quality during fermenting. On this basis, the effects of different proportion of lactic acid bacteria and yeast on the dynamic changes in the total number of lactic acid bacteria and the total number of yeast of fermentation broth, pH, nitrite content and sensory quality of pickled radish were studied. The results showed that the comprehensive effect of 4% salt, 5% soybean polysaccharide and 4% perilla-bean sprout juice was the best, the pH of pickled radish was 3.36, the content of nitrite was 1.5 mg/kg, and the sensory score was 78.7. Compared with natural fermentation, adding 0.2 g lactic acid bacteria powder and 0.2 g yeast powder for seven days, the lactic acid bacteria and yeast concentration of pickled radish reached 108.05 CFU/mL and 106.68 CFU/mL, respectively, the pH was 3.27, the nitrite content was 1.1 mg/kg, and the comprehensive sensory score was 79.1. The results of this study expanded the path to improve the processing technology of pickled radish with low sodium salt and low nitrite.

Effects of soybean oligosaccharide, stachyose, and raffinose on growth performance and cecal microbiota in broiler chickens.

This study was conducted to examine the effects of soybean oligosaccharide, stachyose, and raffinose on growth performance and cecal microbiota in broiler chickens. Three-hundred 1-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chickens were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments: a basal diet (control diet); diets supplemented with soybean oligosaccharide, stachyose, or raffinose at levels of 0.6% total sugar content; and diet with soybean meals (positive control). Results showed that feed-to-gain ratio (F/G) was improved (p < 0.05) in broiler chickens that received stachyose, but not raffinose, while addition of soybean oligosaccharide to the diet significantly (p < 0.05) resulted in decreases in the average daily feed intake (ADFI) and average daily gain (ADG). Supplementation with soybean oligosaccharide, stachyose, or raffinose had a positive effect (p < 0.05) on the nutrient digestibility, but not on the blood immune parameters (p > 0.05). The results of the gene sequencing indicated that, at the family level, Ruminococcaceae, Lachnospiraceae, and Lactobacillaceae were comparatively present in all the treatments but the cecal microbial composition was changed after dietary addition of different oligosaccharides. Our study had led to a greater understanding of prebiotic effects of these oligosaccharides on growth and intestinal health.

CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Knockout of Galactinol Synthase-Encoding Genes Reduces Raffinose Family Oligosaccharide Levels in Soybean Seeds.

Raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs) are major soluble carbohydrates in soybean seeds that cannot be digested by human and other monogastric animals. Hence, a major goal is to reduce RFO levels to improve the nutritional quality of soybean. In this study, we utilized a dual gRNAs CRISPR/Cas9 system to induce knockouts in two soybean galactinol synthase (GOLS) genes, GmGOLS1A and its homeolog GmGOLS1B. Genotyping of T0 plants showed that the construct design was efficient in inducing various deletions in the target sites or sequences spanning the two target sites of both GmGOLS1A and GmGOLS1B genes. A subset of induced alleles was successfully transferred to progeny and, at the T2 generation, we identified null segregants of single and double mutant genotypes without off-target induced mutations. The seed carbohydrate analysis of double mutant lines showed a reduction in the total RFO content of soybean seed from 64.7 mg/g dry weight to 41.95 mg/g dry weight, a 35.2% decrease. On average, the stachyose content, the most predominant RFO in soybean seeds, decreased by 35.4% in double mutant soybean, while the raffinose content increased by 41.7%. A slight decrease in verbascose content was also observed in mutant lines. Aside from changes in soluble carbohydrate content, some mutant lines also exhibited increased protein and fat contents. Otherwise, no difference in seed weight, seed germination, plant development and morphology was observed in the mutants. Our findings indicate that GmGOLS1A and GmGOLS1B contribute to the soybean oligosaccharide profile through RFO biosynthesis pathways, and are promising targets for future investigation, as well as crop improvement efforts. Our results also demonstrate the potential in using elite soybean cultivars for transformation and targeted genome editing.

Soybean oligosaccharide, stachyose, and raffinose in broilers diets: effects on odor compound concentration and microbiota in cecal digesta

Soybean oligosaccharides have been previously shown to be associated with the production of major odor-causing compounds in broilers, although little is known about the role of stachyose and raffinose, which are key components of soybean oligosaccharide, in broiler cecal microbiota and odor compound production. To this end, soybean oligosaccharide, stachyose, and raffinose were added to the birds' diets to investigate their effects on odor compound production and the microbial community characteristics of the cecum in broilers. A total of 300 one-day-old Arbor Acre broilers with similar initial live weight were randomly allocated into 5 dietary groups with 6 replicates of 10 birds. The diets included soybean meal (positive control), soybean meal-free (negative control), 0.6% soybean oligosaccharide, 0.6% stachyose, or 0.6% raffinose. After a 49-D feeding period, both ceca were aseptically removed postmortem, and the contents were collected and analyzed for skatole, indole, volatile fatty acids, and lactic acid by using high performance liquid chromatography. Bacterial communities were detected by using a high-throughput sequencing platform based on IlluminaMiSeq 2500. Levels of skatole and indole tended to be lower in the dietary supplementation of oligosaccharides. The lowest levels of skatole and indole were observed in the stachyose group (P < 0.05), while the highest levels were found in the negative control group (P < 0.05). Concentrations of acetic acid and propionic acid in the stachyose group were increased (P < 0.05) while those of butyric acid and lactic acid were decreased (P < 0.05) compared with the soybean oligosaccharide and raffinose groups. Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were prevalent in all groups, the proportion of Bacteroidetes was slightly decreased in the stachyose group, and Verrucomicrobia was abundant in the raffinose group (P > 0.05). Bacterial genera Alistipes and Parabacteroides were comparably abundant in the stachyose group, while Bacteroides, Lactobacillus, and Akkermansia were more abundant in the negative control, stachyose, and raffinose groups, respectively. Collectively, these findings demonstrated that dietary oligosaccharide supplementation significantly reduced odor compound production by modulating the cecal microbial community. Compared with soybean oligosaccharide and raffinose, the addition of stachyose into diets may help improve gut fermentation and minimize odor compound generation in broilers.

Impacts of functional oligosaccharide on intestinal immune modulation in immunosuppressive mice.

In order to research the role of soybean oligosaccharides (SBOSs) on improvements in the microenvironment of intestinal flora and immune function of cyclophosphamide (CTX) immunosuppressive mice. Via giving intragastric administration of Soybean oligosaccharide (SBOS) at the low dose (50/(kg·BW)/d), the middle dose (200 mg/(kg·BW)/d) and the high dose (500 mg/(kg·BW)/d) partly once a day, which is also 28 days in a row. At the same time, (SBOS) mice in the drug group and (CG) mice in the positive control group were given intraabdominal injection of CTX (200 mg/kg/d).The immunosuppressive mouse model (CY) was established after 72 h in the model group and the positive control group (CG) was given intragastric administration of levamisole hydrochloric acid (LMS) for 3 days, with the data of 80ug/kg/d after injection of CTX (for actually 72 h). On the 8th, 15th and 22nd day, the number of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Enterococcus and Clostridium perfringens m in the feces of mice in each dose of drug group were determined. After the test resulted, the cellular immune function, humoral immune function, monocyte/macrophage function, NK cell activity and cytokine secretion (tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-gamma and IL-4) were measured in immunosuppressive mice each group. The results showed that 200 mg/(kg BW) soybean oligosaccharide could significantly promote the proliferation and inhibit the increase of Enterococcus in immunosuppressive mice. The soybean oligosaccharide of 500 mg/(kg BW) could dramatically promote the proliferation of both Bifidobacillus and Lactobacillus, and also inhibit the increase of both Enterobacteriaceae and Enterococcus in immunosuppressive mice. The regulatory function of SBOS on intestinal flora was positive. Soybean oligosaccharide (500 mg/(kg BW) could significantly promote the proliferation of Bifidobacillus and Lactobacillus in immunosuppressive mice and inhibit the increase of Enterococcus and Enterococcus. The proliferation of spleen lymphocytes induced by ConA, LPS in immunosuppressive mice was dose-dependent. But it was still lower than that of the normal group (CG0) (p > 0.05). The serum hemolysin level of immunosuppressive mice was significantly increased in each dose group (p < 0.05), and the level of antibody forming cells in spleen cells of each dose group was significantly increased (P < 0.05), and the level of antibody forming cells in spleen cells of each dose group was significantly higher than that of low dose group (p < 0.005), and the level of serum hemolysin in immunosuppressive mice was significantly increased in each dose group (p < 0.05). In the detection of immune effector cell activity in immunosuppressive mice, the phagocytic function of macrophages in high dose group and the natural killing activity of spleen NK cells in high dose drug group were significantly increased, which were not significantly different from those in positive control group (P < 0.05), but the expression of TNF-α, INF-γ and IL-4 cytokines in serum was increased in a dose dependent manner (p < 0.05). In conclusion, soybean oligosaccharide can significantly increase the diversity of intestinal microecology, increase the number of intestinal beneficial bacteria, has a correlation with the proliferation of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in the intestinal tract, and inhibit the proliferation of harmful bacteria. The results showed that SBOS had a direct effect on the proliferation of intestinal flora under immunosuppression. Based on the improvement of intestinal microenvironment in immunosuppressive mice by soybean oligosaccharide for 25 days, the results showed that compared with the positive control group, the nonspecific and specific immunity of immunosuppressive mice in the drug group had a regulatory effect, which improved the phagocytic function of monocytes/macrophages, developed the level of antibody forming cells, enhanced the standard of the killing activity of NK cells, and promoted the expression of cytokines as well. Compared with the model group, the transformation and proliferation of spleen lymphocytes in the high and middle dose groups were remarkably increased, but all of the indexes did not reach the level of the normal blank group. By studying the improvement of intestinal microenvironment in immunosuppressive mice, to some extent, it is concluded that the proliferation of intestinal flora can improve the immunomodulatory function of the body, but it still lowers the normal immune degree, which reflects the immunomodulatory effect of the body on the stimulation of continuous external intake. The results demonstrate that the immunomodulatory ability of immunosuppressive body was insensitive to SBOS and provided a theoretical basis for the study of health care function of intestinal microenvironment improvement when SBOS acted on abnormal immune function. The results also improved the practical application value of SBOS.

Effects of oligosaccharides on the growth and stress tolerance of Lactobacillus plantarum ZLP001 in vitro, and the potential synbiotic effects of L. plantarum ZLP001 and fructo-oligosaccharide in post-weaning piglets1.

In this study, we evaluated the effects of seven oligosaccharides on the growth rate and stress tolerance of Lactobacillus plantarum ZLP001 in vitro, and the potential synbiotic effects of the most effective oligosaccharide [fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS)] and L. plantarum ZLP001 on the growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, fecal microbiota, and serum immune index in weaning piglets. Most oligosaccharides were utilized as carbohydrate sources by L. plantarum ZLP001, but we observed obvious differences in the bacterial growth depending on oligosaccharide type and concentration. Oligosaccharides and glucose significantly alleviated the decrease in L. plantarum ZLP001 viability in artificial gastric fluid, whereas none of the sugars affected viability in artificial intestinal fluid. FOS and galacto-oligosaccharide significantly improved the viability of L. plantarum ZLP001 under heat stress (65 °C for 15 and 30 min). FOS and soybean oligosaccharide significantly increased the viability of L. plantarum ZLP001 in response to cold stress (4 °C for 30 and 60 days). On the basis of the findings of in vitro experiments, we selected FOS for in vivo studies. Eighty-four weaned piglets were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: control (basal diet, no additives), freeze-dried L. plantarum ZLP001 (4.2 × 109 CFU/g, 2 g/kg diet), FOS (5 g/kg diet), and combination (0.2% L. plantarum ZLP001 + 0.5% FOS). Body weight and feed consumption were recorded for determinations of the average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed-to-gain ratio (F/G). On day 28, fresh fecal samples were collected to evaluate the apparent digestibility of nutrients and microbiota, and serum samples were collected to determine the immune status. L. plantarum ZLP001 plus FOS significantly increased ADG and decreased the F/G ratio compared with the no-additive control. The combination treatment also increased the apparent nutrient digestibility of dry matter and crude protein. Compared with the control and single supplementation, the combination treatment had a significant regulatory effect on the intestinal microbiota, as evidenced by increases in Lactobacillus spp. and a decrease in Enterobacteriaceae. In addition, the combination treatment increased the concentrations of serum IFN-γ and immunoglobulin G. In conclusion, FOS can be utilized well by L. plantarum ZLP001 and can be combined with it as a potential synbiotic that shows synergistic effects in weaning piglets.

Improvement of broiler meat quality due to dietary inclusion of soybean oligosaccharide derived from soybean meal extract

Dietary inclusion of antibiotics as growth promoters (AGPs) in poultry production has been applied for decades worldwide, but recently AGPs have been banned due to the negative consequences for health and food safety. Soybean oligosccharide (SOS) derived from soybean meal extract is one of natural compound without carrying-over the residue to product and is consumer’s health friendly. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate dietary inclusion of SOS on broiler meat quality. A total of 120 broilers of 7-day-old were allocated into 3 treatments with 4 replications (10 birds each) in completely randomized design. Treatments applied were D1: diet without SOS, D2: D1 plus 0.15% SOS, and D3: D1 plus 0.30% SOS. Intestinal lactic acid bacteria (LAB), protein digestibility, meat protein and fat depositions, and meat cholesterol were the parameters observed. Data were statistically tested using analysis of variance and Duncan test. Dietary SOS inclusion at 0.30% (D3) significantly (P<0.05) increased LAB population (7.21x104 cfu/g), protein digestibility (72.80%), and meat protein deposition (90.83 g/bird), but it decreased meat fat (8.27 g/bird) and meat cholesterol (37.28 mg/100 g). In conclusion, dietary SOS inclusion at 0.30% improves meat quality of broiler based on the increase in meat protein deposition with lower fat and cholesterol.

Eco-friendly separation and purification of soybean oligosaccharides via nanofiltration technology

ABSTRACTTwo NF membranes were applied to separate and purify the soybean oligosaccharide (SBOS) from SBOS broth. NF-3A membrane was more appropriate than NF-2A membrane because of its superior separation performance. Constant volume diafiltration mode was used to enhance the purity of SBOS. A difference in the rejection and the yield between the SBOS and other sugars ensured the purity enhancement. Under optimal operation conditions, the yield and the purity of the SBOS could reach up to 83.2% and 77.9%, respectively. Deteriorated membrane performance resulting from the membrane fouling could be recovered via specific chemical cleaning process. NF technology with high-efficiency and eco-friendly properties demonstrates the great potential for SBOS purification in practical application.

Effects of dietary oligosaccharide supplementation on growth performance, concentrations of the major odor-causing compounds in excreta, and the cecal microflora of broilers

This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with 4 types of oligosaccharides on the growth performance, concentrations of the major odor-causing compounds in excreta and cecal microflora of broilers. Three hundred 21-day-old Archer Abor broilers with an average initial live weight of 702.3 g were randomly divided into 5 dietary treatments: basal diet, basal diet + 5 g/kg of mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS), basal diet + 1.2 g/kg of inulin, basal diet + 1.5 g/kg of fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS), and basal diet +1.25 g/kg of soybean oligosaccharide (SBOS), respectively. Each diet was fed to 6 replicates of 10 birds from d 21 to 42, and body weight and feed intake were recorded. Fresh excreta were sampled from each replicate on d 40, 41, and 42 and stored at −20 °C until further analysis. On d 42, the ceca of killed birds were aseptically removed, and the cecal contents were collected into sterile containers and stored at −80 °C until further analysis. Results showed that feeding inulin, FOS, and SBOS diets resulted in an improvement in daily gain (P < 0.05). Broilers fed the SBOS diet showed lower feed:gain ratio (1.84g:g) than the other groups (P > 0.05). Broilers fed the FOS diet showed the lowest volatile basic nitrogen, pH value, and indole and skatole contents in excreta, and broilers fed the SBOS diet had higher total volatile fatty acids concentrations than control (P < 0.05). The cecal microbial community was measured using the PCR-DGGE, which indicated that the cecal microflora Shannon-wiener index and richness of SBOS-fed broilers were significantly higher than that of the control (P < 0.05). The lowest evenness was recorded in the FOS group, which was significantly lower than the other groups (P < 0.05) except the SBOS group. Based on the sequences of the corresponding 16S rDNA of the DGGE bands, in combination with the contents of the major odor-causing compounds in excreta, it is suggested that uncultured Lachnospiraceae bacterium and Bacteroides sp. were associated with the production of major odor-causing compounds in excreta.

Dietary supplementation with soybean oligosaccharides increases short-chain fatty acids but decreases protein-derived catabolites in the intestinal luminal content of weaned Huanjiang mini-piglets

The improvement of gut health and function with prebiotic supplements after weaning is an active area of research in pig nutrition. The present study was conducted to test the working hypothesis that medium-term dietary supplementation with soybean oligosaccharides (SBOS) can affect the gut ecosystem in terms of microbiota composition, luminal bacterial short-chain fatty acid and ammonia concentrations, and intestinal expression of genes related to intestinal immunity and barrier function. Ten Huanjiang mini-piglets, weaned at 21 days of age, were randomly assigned to 2 groups. Each group received a standard diet containing either dietary supplementation with 0.5% corn starch (control group) or 0.5% SBOS (experimental group). The results showed that dietary supplementation with SBOS increased the diversity of intestinal microflora and elevated (P < .05) the numbers of some presumably beneficial intestinal bacteria (eg, Bifidobacterium sp, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Fusobacterium prausnitzii, and Roseburia). Soybean oligosaccharide supplementation also increased the concentration of short-chain fatty acid in the intestinal lumen, and it reduced (P < .05) the numbers of bacteria with pathogenic potential (eg, Escherichia coli, Clostridium, and Streptococcus) and the concentration of several protein-derived catabolites (eg, isobutyrate, isovalerate, and ammonia). In addition, SBOS supplementation increased (P < .05) expression of zonula occludens 1 messenger RNA, and it decreased (P < .05) expression of tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 1β, and interleukin 8 messenger RNA in the ileum and colon. These findings suggest that SBOS supplementation modifies the intestinal ecosystem in weaned Huanjiang mini-piglets and has potentially beneficial effects on the gut.

Immobilization of Aspergillus oryzae with κ-carrageenan for soybean oligosaccharide hydrolysis

The immobilized Aspergillus oryzae spores in κ-carrageenan were used for production of α-galactosidase. The immobilized cells could be used up to 5 repeated cycles for enzyme production. They were employed for raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFO) hydrolysis in batch, repeated batch, and continuous operations after 5 days of fermentation. In batch mode, 65, 73, and 80% of RFOs were hydrolyzed after 3, 6, and 12 h, respectively; in repeated batch; 70, 63, 52, and 45% were hydrolyzed in 1, 2, 3, and 4 repeated cycles. In the fluidized bed reactor, 65, 58, 53, 48, and 44% RFOs were hydrolyzed at flow rates of 25, 50, 75, 100, and 125 mL/h respectively. The κ-carrageenan beads maintain good mechanical strength up to 4 repeated uses for RFO hydrolysis in soymilk, and their use in the hydrolysis of RFOs of soybean is a promising solution to overcome flatulence and to increase consumption of soy products.

Prebiotics enhance survival and prolong the retention period of specific probiotic inocula in an in vivo murine model

To identify novel prebiotics that could be used to maintain persistence of three representative probiotic strains in vivo. Test mice were treated with prebiotics soybean oligosaccharide (SOS), fructooligosaccharide (FOS) or inulin, followed by probiotics Lactobacillus acidophilus LAFTI L10 (L10), Bifidobacterium lactis LAFTI B94 (B94) or Lactobacillus casei L26 LAFTI (L26). Faecal samples were then collected and analysed using selective medium and PCR analysis to determine the presence of the probiotic strains. In contrast to the control groups, in mice fed prebiotics, the survival and retention time of the test probiotics was increased extensively. SOS and FOS prolonged the retention period of L10 from 24 to 30 h. Of the three prebiotics, FOS gave the best result with B94, prolonging the retention period from 3 to > or =10 days. Of the three prebiotics, inulin gave the best result for L26, prolonging the retention period from 2 to > or =6 days. The prebiotics SOS, FOS and inulin significantly enhance survival and prolong the retention period of L10, B94 and L26 in vivo. Our results demonstrate the potential use of FOS, inulin and SOS as prebiotics in conjunction with the probiotic strains L10, B94 and L26 for new synbiotic products.

Selected prebiotics support the growth of probiotic mono-cultures in vitro

The aim of the present study was to identify suitable prebiotics for synergistic combinations with representative probiotics from the lactobacilli and bifidobacterium genera. Eleven different types of commercially available carbohydrates and compounds were screened in basal media for their effects on the growth of the probiotic cultures Lactobacillus acidophilus LAFTI ® L10 (L10), Bifidobacterium animalis lactis LAFTI ® B94 (B94) and Lactobacillus casei LAFTI ® L26 (L26). Growth of these probiotics was investigated by measuring optical density (OD) levels over a period of 48 h. The results of this study showed that all three probiotic strains were able to utilize a range of carbohydrates. Maximal growth of L10 was observed in basal medium supplemented with soybean oligosaccharide (SOS), followed by fructooligosaccharide (FOS) and inulin, while maximal growth of B94 was observed in basal medium supplemented with SOS, followed by raffinose, FOS, β-glucan hydrolysate, inulin and Fibregum TAN. L26 was shown to exhibit maximal growth in basal medium supplemented with FOS followed by inulin, SOS, β-glucan hydrolysate and β-glucan concentrate. The results of this study indicate that several carbohydrates/compounds can enhance the growth of these representative probiotic strains in vitro.

Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Synbiotics Affect Mineral Absorption, Bone Mineral Content, and Bone Structure1, ,

Several studies in animals and humans have shown positive effects of nondigestible oligosaccharides (NDO) on mineral absorption and metabolism and bone composition and architecture. These include inulin, oligofructose, fructooligosaccharides, galactooligosaccharides, soybean oligosaccharide, and also resistant starches, sugar alcohols, and difructose anhydride. A positive outcome of dietary prebiotics is promoted by a high dietary calcium content up to a threshold level and an optimum amount and composition of supplemented prebiotics. There might be an optimum composition of fructooligosaccharides with different chain lengths (synergy products). The efficacy of dietary prebiotics depends on chronological age, physiological age, menopausal status, and calcium absorption capacity. There is evidence for an independent probiotic effect on facilitating mineral absorption. Synbiotics, i.e., a combination of probiotics and prebiotics, can induce additional effects. Whether a low content of habitual NDO would augment the effect of dietary prebiotics or synbiotics remains to be studied. The underlying mechanisms are manifold: increased solubility of minerals because of increased bacterial production of short-chain fatty acids, which is promoted by the greater supply of substrate; an enlargement of the absorption surface by promoting proliferation of enterocytes mediated by bacterial fermentation products, predominantly lactate and butyrate; increased expression of calcium-binding proteins; improvement of gut health; degradation of mineral complexing phytic acid; release of bone-modulating factors such as phytoestrogens from foods; stabilization of the intestinal flora and ecology, also in the presence of antibiotics; stabilization of the intestinal mucus; and impact of modulating growth factors such as polyamines. In conclusion, prebiotics are the most promising but also best investigated substances with respect to a bone-health-promoting potential, compared with probiotics and synbiotics. The results are more prominent in animal models, where more studies have been performed, than in human studies, where experimental conditions are more difficult to control.

The Effect of Synbiotics on Colon Carcinogenesis in Rats

Evidence indicates that consumption of probiotic microorganisms such as bifidobacteria reduces the risk of colon cancer in animal models. Feeding certain fructans such as oligofructose and inulin, which are thought to selectively increase the growth of intestinal bifidobacteria (i.e., a prebiotic effect), also has been shown to reduce colon cancer risk. The objective of our study was twofold, i.e., to determine whether the combination of bifidobacteria and oligofructose would have an additive effect (i.e., synbiotic) in reducing colon cancer risk in rats, and to determine whether other oligosaccharides would also be effective as part of a synbiotic combination. The development of colonic preneoplastic lesions (aberrant crypts) was used as an index of colon cancer risk. In one series of experiments, rats were given the carcinogen 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) and administered one of the following treatments: skim milk (control), bifidobacteria (bifido), oligofructose (OF) or bifido + OF. Neither bifido nor OF alone significantly reduced aberrant crypt number. Bifido + OF reduced aberrant crypt number in five of six experiments, although the reduction was significant in only one. However, a paired comparison of the six experiments indicated a significant overall reduction in aberrant crypts by bifido + OF (P = 0.039). Soybean oligosaccharide (SBO) and wheat bran oligosaccharide (WBO) were also fed in combination with bifidobacteria. In two other experiments, SBO did not alter the number of aberrant crypts compared with the control, whereas WBO reduced aberrant crypt number in one experiment but not in another. Of OF, SBO and WBO, only SBO reduced the colonic mucosa proliferation compared with the control. These results suggest that the combination of bifidobacteria and oligofructose reduces colon cancer risk in carcinogen-treated rats, but the effect of other oligosaccharides is uncertain.

Carbohydrate source and bifidobacteria influence the growth of Clostridium perfringens in vivo and in vitro

The purpose of this study was to test the effects of administering bifidobacteria with either 2% fructooligosaccharide (FOS), 2% wheat bran oligosaccharide (WBOS), 2% soybean oligosaccharide (SBOS) or no added oligosaccharide (control) on cecal populations of bifidobacteria and C. perfringens, a potential pathogen and normal inhabitant of the mammalian colon, in the rat. Rats were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups: basal diet + 1 ml daily gavage of skim milk containing 10 8 bifidobacteria, 2% FOS + bifidobacteria, 2% SBOS + bifidobacteria or 2% WBOS + bifidobacteria. The rats were fed the diets for 4 wk, after which cecal concentrations of bifidobacteria and C. perfringens were assessed. WBOS and SBOS feeding resulted in higher concentrations of bifidobacteria and C. perfringens relative to FOS-feeding or control. However, no differences in either bifidobacteria or C. perfringens were detected between control and FOS groups. Parallel to this animal study, in vitro competition experiments with bifidobacteria and C. perfringens were performed in growth media containing either glucose, FOS or WBOS as the primary carbon source. The concentrations of bifidobacteria and C. perfringens were determined at each hour for 10 h and specific growth rates (μ) were calculated. The μ for C. perfringens, co-cultured with bifidobacteria in glucose-based or WBOS-based media was significantly decreased relative to C. perfringens alone. However, no significant difference was found between the μ for C. perfringens co-cultured in FOS-based media with bifidobacteria and the C. perfringens grown alone in FOS-based media. These findings indicate that different oligosaccharides have differential effects on the populations of bifidobacteria and C. perfringens in vivo and that certain oligosaccharides may potentiate an inhibitory action of bifidobacteria against C. perfringens.

Effects of Soybean Oligosaccharides on Human Digestive Organs: Estimation of Fifty Percent Effective Dose and Maximum Non-Effective Dose Based on Diarrhea.

Soybean oligosaccharide extract (SOE) containing galactooligosaccharides like raffinose and stachyose has a sweet taste similar to that of sucrose. When ingested, these galactooligosaccharides are neither digested nor absorbed, but promote the growth of bifidobacteria in the human intestine. It therefore has the potential to be an alternative sweetener in dietary treatment for metabolic disorders. However, the indigestible oligosaccharides, in general, often cause diarrhea when taken beyond a specific amount. To determine the maximum non-effective dose (NEDmax) and the 50% effective dose (ED50) of SOE on diarrhea, we conducted a single blind comparative study on 106 adult healthy volunteers with an average age of 29±12 years. They were randomly chosen to ingest either SOE in a concentration 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 times the standard dose of 0.16g/kg body weight, or the equivalent proportions of sucrose as the control. The NEDmax was found to be 0.64g/kg for males and 0.96g/kg for females, while the ED50 was 0.88g/kg for men and 2.41g/kg for women. These values assure, for both genders, that man can ingest SOE at least four times the standard dosage per ingestion without intestinal disturbances.