Xylooligosaccharides Research Articles

Synbiotic Effects of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei K56 and Prebiotics on the Intestinal Microecology of Children with Obesity.

Lacticaseibacillus paracasei K56 (L. paracasei K56) is a probiotic with weight-loss effects. However, symbiosis research on the combined effects of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei K56 and prebiotics is lacking. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of L. paracasei K56, xylooligosaccharide (XOS), galactooligosaccharide (GOS), polyglucose (PG), and their synbiotic combinations (XOS + K56, GOS + K56, and PG + K56) on metabolism and gut composition in children with obesity, using an in vitro fermentation model. Fecal samples were collected from 14 children with obesity for in vitro fermentation, and the effects of the various treatments in gas production and short chain fatty acid synthesis (SCFAs) were assessed. Treatment with probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics regulated gut microbiota and metabolites in children with obesity. GOS and XOS had higher degradation rates than PG + K56 synbiotics in the gut microbiota of children with obesity. Moreover, treatment with XOS, GOS, and their synbiotic combinations, (XOS + K56) and (GOS + K56), significantly reduced the production of gas, propionic acid, and butyric acid compared with PG + K56 treatment. Treatments with GOS + K56 and XOS + K56 altered the composition of the gut microbiota, improved the abundance of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, and reduced the abundance of Escherichia/Shigella. Overall, this study provides a theoretical foundation for the use of K56-based synbiotics.

Enhanced Production of Furfural via Methanolysis of Wood Biomass with HCl Gas.

This study explores the production of furfural, xylose and methylxylosides through the methanolysis of wood flour using anhydrous HCl gas. The process involves methanolysis of wood flour with HCl gas under pressure to generate methylxylosides, which are subsequently converted to xylose and furfural via autohydrolysis in a Parr batch reactor system. The methanolysis was conducted in temperature-controlled HCl gas reactor employing 24 h reaction time and 50 % methanol content in wood flour. During the methanolysis step with HCl gas, 65 % of the available xylan in wood flour was converted to water-soluble methylxylosides, xylose, xylooligosaccharides (XO) and water-soluble methyl xylooligosaccharides (MXO). Methanolysis filtrates were then autohydrolyzed with Parr 50 mL batch reactor system to xylose and furfural in two different pH values at 180 °C. The highest furfural yield of 91 % from methanolysis filtrate was achieved with pH 1.2 and 25 min reaction time.

Unlocking full potential of bamboo waster: Efficient co-production of xylooligosaccharides, lignin, and glucose through low-dosage mandelic acid hydrolysis with alkaline processing

Mandelic acid (MA), a natural and environmentally friendly organic acid, demonstrates high selectivity and efficiency in hydrolyzing hemicellulose, making it an excellent candidate for xylooligosaccharides (XOS) production at low acid dosages. Despite its potential, the application of MA for XOS production has not been evaluated. The study first investigated the effectiveness of MA in hydrolyzing hemicellulose in bamboo into XOS. Under optimized conditions (50 mM MA, 180 °C, 45 min), a high XOS yield of 65.9 % was achieved, with a total xylobiose and xylotriose yield of 43.5 %. Subsequent alkaline pretreatment enabled 92.1 % lignin removal from MA-pretreated bamboo. The recovered lignin exhibited a high purity of 95.2 % and retained fundamental structure and functional groups of native lignin. The resulting residue displayed enhanced crystallinity and accessibility, with reduced hydrophobicity and surface area lignin compared to untreated bamboo. At high substrate concentration of 20 %, cellulase hydrolysis resulted in a glucose conversion efficiency of 83.9 %. Overall, this integrated strategy offered an efficient approach for the co-production of valuable XOS, lignin, and glucose from bamboo. The efficient energy utilization and economic viability further highlight the potential of this method for large-scale industrial applications, making it an attractive option for biomass valorization.

Xylooligosaccharide interferes with the cell cycle and reduces the antibiotic tolerance of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli by associating with its potential antimetabolic actions

This study aimed to probe if xylooligosaccharide (XOS) could act as an antimetabolite to impact the cell cycle and antibiotic tolerance of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC). We firstly measured the bacteriostasis of XOS against APEC O78 and its effect on the growth of APEC O78 growing on different medium. Afterwards, the effects of XOS on xylose operon activation along with the cell cycle and antibiotic tolerance of APEC O78 were analyzed. The results showed that XOS caused no inhibitory circle against APEC O78 and did not affect (P > 0.05) the growth of APEC O78 growing on LB medium. Besides, APEC O78 was unable to grow on M9 medium (carbon-free) added with XOS. However, XOS exerted a similar role as xylose in increasing (P < 0.05) the expression of certain xylose operon genes including xylose isomerase (XylA)-encoding gene (xylA) and xylose-binding periplasmic protein (XylF)-encoding gene (xylF) in APEC O78. The molecular docking simulation revealed that the major monomer components (xylobiose, xylotriose and xylotetraose) of XOS had stable binding potentials to both XylA and XylF proteins of E. coli, as supported by the low binding free energy and the formation of considerable hydrogen bonds between them. The subsequent analysis showed that XOS altered certain cell cycle-related genes expression, especially elevated (P < 0.05) nrdB expression and decreased ihfB expression to a degree. Moreover, XOS played a similar role as 2-deoxy-glucose (a glucose analogue serving as a typical antimetabolite) in lowering (P < 0.05) the number of ampicillin-tolerant APEC O78. Collectively, XOS had no direct bacteriostasis against APEC and could not be metabolized/utilized by APEC O78. However, it might become an analogue of xylose and then activate xylose transport- and metabolism-related proteins in APEC O78, thus functioning as a potential antimetabolite and exerting anti-metabolic actions. This could at least partially interpret the observed roles of XOS in interfering with the cell cycle and diminishing the antibiotic tolerance of APEC O78. The above findings expand the knowledges about the functions of XOS and provide a basis for exploring novel strategies to reduce the antibiotic tolerance of APEC.

PH-controlled acetic acid pretreatment for coproduction of low degree of polymerization xylo-oligosaccharides and glucose from corncobs

Acetic acid (HAc) pretreatment has been widely used for the production of xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS), requiring harsh reaction conditions because XOS are intermediates during the xylan degradation process. This complexity makes the pretreatment process difficult to regulate. In this study, a pH-controlled HAc pretreatment using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) was proposed to enhance the yield of XOS and to reduce its degree of polymerization (DP) from corncobs (CC). By employing this method (0.3 M-2.7), 49.7 % of XOS with DP 2–6 was obtained, alongside a notable increase in the fraction of XOS with DP 2–4 (10.1 g/L). This performance significantly surpassed that of the HAc alone (0.3 M). Moreover, the glucose yield from CC via pH-controlled HAc pretreatment was as high as 93.1 % after 72-h enzymatic hydrolysis. These results suggested that the pH-controlled HAc pretreatment could be a promising strategy for the coproduction of low-DP XOS and fermentable sugars.

Streamlined fractionation for recovery of high-yield xylo-oligosaccharides, pure lignin and ethanol from poplar using short-chain organic acid/pentanol biphasic system

Biphasic pretreatment offers a sustainable method by integrating the fractionation of hemicellulose, lignin, and cellulose into a single process, thereby enhancing biomass resource utilization while reducing environmental impact. However, this process faces the challenge of diverse hemicellulose products with low added value. This study employed organic acid-catalyzed water/pentanol biphasic pretreatment to selectively convert hemicellulose into xylooligosaccharides (XOS), while simultaneously separating lignin and cellulose. Both the organic acids and pentanol used are biodegradable and compatible. The lactic acid (LA)/pentanol biphasic system was particularly effective for XOS production and lignin removal, attributed to the high acidity of LA and its relatively low partition coefficients in the water/pentanol system, crucial factors influencing hemicellulose and lignin separation efficiency. The XOS yields reached 46.9 %, while the lignin removal rate was 74.6 %. Additionally, LA/pentanol pretreatment significantly enhanced cellulose digestibility, demonstrated by an ethanol production of 54.1 g/L during simultaneous saccharification fermentation at 15 % solids loading. The recovered lignin from the organic phase retained the structural characteristics of native lignin. It also had a low molecular weight and abundant phenolic hydroxyl groups, indicating its suitability for further valorization. Pentanol maintained its performance after four cycles of reuse, demonstrating the stability and reusability of the solvent system. This study highlighted the potential of the LA/pentanol biphasic system for simultaneous hemicellulose conversion and lignin isolation, offering a simplified and sustainable one-step valorization route for biomass.

Effect of ultrasound-assisted Maillard reaction on functional properties and flavor characteristics of Oyster protein enzymatic hydrolysates

To address the delamination phenomenon during storage and flavor characteristics of Oyster protein hydrolysates (OPH). In this study, xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) were selected to covalently graft with OPH through ultrasound-assisted Maillard reaction, and the effect of ultrasound-assisted Maillard reaction on the structure, functional properties, and flavor characteristics of OPH were investigated. The results revealed that the ultrasound treatment led to a 1.46-fold increase in the degree of grafting compared with the conventional wet-heat Maillard reaction methods. Structural analyses at various levels indicated substantial alterations in the OPH structure following the ultrasound-assisted Maillard reaction. More ordered α-helical secondary structures were shifting to random coiling, the tertiary structure showed more stretching changes, and the surface structure was characterized by loose and porous features. Compared with OPH, the solubility of the ultrasound-assisted Maillard reaction products (OPH-U-M) increased from 54.67% to 70.14%, leading to a notable enhancement in storage stability. Flavor profile analysis demonstrated a decrease in unsaturated aldehydes and ketones presenting fishy and bitter aromas, while an increase in presenting meat aroma compounds was observed in OPH-U-M. Furthermore, OPH-U-M exhibited superior antioxidant properties with DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging abilities enhancing 46.05% and 42.09% in comparison with OPH, respectively. The results demonstrated that covalently binding with XOS under ultrasonication pretreatment endowed OPH with superior functional properties (including solubility, storage stability, and antioxidant activity), and the improvement of flavor profile. This study can provide theoretical guidance and practical implications for promoting the processing applications of oyster protein.

Modulation of the Cardiovascular Risk in Type 1 Diabetic Rats by Endurance Training in Combination with the Prebiotic Xylooligosaccharide.

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a major etiological factor in heart failure in diabetic patients, characterized by mitochondrial oxidative metabolism dysfunction, myocardial fibrosis, and marked glycogen elevation. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of endurance training and prebiotic xylooligosaccharide (XOS) on the activity of key oxidative enzymes, myocardial collagen, and glycogen distribution as well as some serum biochemical risk markers in streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic rats. Male Wistar rats (n = 36) were divided into four diabetic groups (n = 9): sedentary diabetic rats on a normal diet (SDN), trained diabetic rats on a normal diet (TDN), trained diabetic rats on a normal diet with an XOS supplement (TD-XOS), and sedentary diabetic rats with an XOS supplement (SD-XOS). The results show that aerobic training managed to increase the enzyme activity of respiratory Complex I and II and the lactate dehydrogenase in the cardiomyocytes of the diabetic rats. Furthermore, the combination of exercise and XOS significantly decreased the collagen and glycogen content. No significant effects on blood pressure, heart rate or markers of inflammation were detected. These results demonstrate the beneficial effects of exercise, alone or in combination with XOS, on the cardiac mitochondrial enzymology and histopathology of diabetic rats.

Bioactive potential of unpurified hydrothermal xylooligosaccharides: Implications for prebiotic formulations from sugarcane bagasse

This study explored the bioactive potential of xylooligosaccharides (XOS) obtained from sugarcane bagasse through one-step hydrothermal process approach, applied here without the typical purification or further processing steps commonly required to produce XOS for use as prebiotic. We investigated various processing conditions to optimize the yield and biofunctional properties of these unpurified, hydrothermally produced XOS-rich hemicellulose hydrolysates from sugarcane bagasse. The prebiotic efficacy of these unpurified XOS-rich hydrolysates was evaluated by their ability to support the metabolism of bifidobacteria in anaerobic fermentation. The results revealed that the chain length of XOS significantly influenced their effectiveness as a carbon source, with longer chains (beyond hexoses) being less efficient. Despite the presence of lignin and sugar degradation by-products, generally considered detrimental in such processes, they did not negatively affect bifidobacteria growth. In addition, variations in the degree of acetyl substitutions on the XOS mildly influenced the production of short-chain fatty acids. Importantly, unpurified XOS-rich hydrolysates produced under selected hydrothermal conditions demonstrated bioactive performance that was comparable to, or even superior to, commercial prebiotics. These findings confirm the practical viability of using unpurified, hydrothermally derived XOS-rich hydrolysates from sugarcane bagasse as prebiotics, emphasizing the innovative approach of eliminating purification and additional processing, thereby simplifying the production process while still maintaining high prebiotic efficacy.

Improving physicochemical and biological properties of gelatin‐xylooligosaccharide conjugates by Maillard reaction

SummaryMaillard reaction can enhance the functional characteristics of the protein. Herein, we investigated changes in the physicochemical and biological properties of gelatin (GA)‐xylooligosaccharide (XOS) conjugates following Maillard reaction. The results showed that the browning intensity of the conjugates increased with the prolongation of heating time. Additionally, sodium dodecyl sulphate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed some macromolecule polymer formed, and the grafting degree of GA was augmented to 40.05% with prolongation of heating time. GA glycation with XOS decreased α‐Helix content and increased level of β‐Turn level, and exerted a slight impact on contact angle. Moreover, the results of in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion analysis showed that the GA‐XOS mixture enhanced resistance to digestion after Maillard reaction for 60 min, affording hydrolysis ratios ranging from 17.86–27.79% and 25.03–35.47% in simulated gastric fluid and intestinal fluid, respectively. The antioxidant ability and heat stability of the conjugates was visibly enhanced following heating treatment. Additionally, increasing the mass of XOS accelerated the antioxidant capacities of GA‐XOS conjugates. The finding will assist the fabrication of GA‐XOS conjugates with highly functional properties by Maillard reaction.

Homologous expression, purification, and characterization of a recombinant acetylxylan esterase from Aspergillus nidulans

Acetylxylan esterases (AXEs) are essential enzymes that break down the acetyl groups in acetylated xylan found in plant cell walls polysaccharides. They work synergistically with backbone-depolymerizing xylanolytic enzymes to accelerate the degradation of complex polysaccharides. In this study, we cloned the gene axeA, which encodes the acetylxylan esterase from Aspergillus nidulans FGSC A4 (AxeAN), into the pEXPYR expression vector and introduced it into the high protein-producing strain A. nidulans A773. The purified AxeAN, with a molecular weight of 33.5 kDa as confirmed by SDS-PAGE, was found to be active on ρ-nitrophenyl acetate (ρNPA), exhibiting a remarkably high specific activity (170 U mg−1) at pH 7.0 and 55 °C. AxeAN demonstrated stability over a wide pH range (5.5–9.0), retaining >80% of its initial activity after 24 h. The KM and Vmax were 0.098 mmol L−1 and 320 U mg−1, respectively, using ρNPA as a substrate. We also evaluated the synergistic effect of AxeAN with an endo-1,4-β-xylanase from Malbranchea pulchella (MpXyn10) in the hydrolysis of four different xylans (Birchwood, Beechwood, Oat spelt, and Arabinoxylan) to produce xylooligosaccharides (XOS). The best results were obtained using Birchwood xylan as substrate and MpXyn10-AxeAN as biocatalysts after 24 h of reaction (50 °C), with a XOS-yield of 91%, value 41% higher when compared to MpXyn10 (XOS-yield of 63%). These findings showed the potential of the application of AxeAN, together with other xylanases, to produce xylooligosaccharides with high purity and other products with high added value in the field of lignocellulosic biorefinery.

Maillard conjugates of whey protein and prebiotic dietary fibers: Emulsion properties, encapsulation efficiency and chemical stability after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion

The incorporation of dietary fibers into food formulations is a promising approach to developing new functional ingredients. In this study, we investigated the formation of Maillard conjugates using whey protein concentrate (WPC) combined with fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and xylooligosaccharides (XOS). These conjugates, innovatively utilized as emulsifiers for annatto seed oil, were subjected to in vitro gastrointestinal digestion to assess their chemical stability and effectiveness as encapsulating systems. Our study confirmed the occurrence of the Maillard reaction through different methods, including grafting degree (GD) assessment and sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) to evaluate molecular weight variations in the proteins. The key innovation of our research lies in demonstrating the conjugation process through carbohydrate mass balance analysis using High-Performance Anion Exchange Chromatography coupled with Pulsed Amperometric Detection (HPAEC-PAD). The GD for the WPC-XOS and WPC-FOS was 46 ± 3 % and 56 ± 3 %, respectively. Our findings suggest that sugar quantification could serve as a novel approach to confirming the formation of Maillard conjugates. The emulsions stabilized by these conjugates exhibited larger oil droplet sizes compared to those stabilized by WPC alone yet maintained high encapsulation efficiency (≥ 90 %). Notably, the WPC-XOS emulsion demonstrated kinetic stability after 30 days of storage at 4°C, while the WPC-FOS emulsion showed signs of creaming after just 16 days. In vitro gastrointestinal digestion revealed that while the conjugates were susceptible to enzymatic degradation, the FOS and XOS sugars displayed gastrointestinal resistance of up to 82 % and 83 %, respectively. This study highlights the potential of WPC-XOS conjugates not only as effective emulsifiers but also as functional ingredients that enhance the nutritional and antioxidant properties of food products, presenting a novel approach to functional food development.

Impact of in ovo administration of xylo- and mannooligosaccharides on broiler chicken gut health

The intestinal mucosa creates a connection between the gut microbiota and the host. This study aimed to modify the gut microbiota of broiler chickens by in ovo stimulation with xylo-oligosaccharide (XOS) and manno-oligosaccharide (MOS) prebiotics and to determine the changes occurring in specific gut segments. Three hundred incubated eggs of Ross 308 broiler chickens on the 12th d of incubation were injected with: saline (control), xylotriose (XOS3), xylotetrose (XOS4), mannotriose (MOS3) or mannotetrose (MOS4). Tissue and digesta samples were collected post-mortem from 8 randomly selected individuals from each group, on d 42 after hatching. Gene expression analysis in the cecum and ileum was performed by RT-qPCR for a panel of genes: innate immune response genes (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17, IL-1β, IFNγ, IFNβ), nutrient sensing and nutrient transport genes (FFAR2, FFAR4, GLUT1, GLUT2, GLUT5), host defence peptides (AvBD1, CATHL2), and barrier function genes (MUC6, CLDN1, TJAP). The relative abundance of bacteria was determined by qPCR for individual bacteria (Akkermansia muciniphilla, Bifidobacterium spp., Clostridium difficile, Escherichia coli, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, and Lactobacillus spp.). Stimulation with prebiotics caused changes in the abundance of bacteria especially Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. in the cecum. The abundance of both genera increased in each study group compared to the control group. The highest abundance of Bifidobacterium spp. in the ileum was found in the MOS3 group compared to the control group. There were changes in the XOS4 and MOS3 groups in the expression of: FFAR4, GLUT1, AvBD1, CATHL2, IL-2, IL-12, and IL-17 in the caecum. In conclusion, in ovo administration of prebiotics increased intestinal colonization by bacteria. The prebiotics influenced gene expression levels via changes in the gut microbiota.

Dietary xylo-oligosaccharides alleviates LPS-induced intestinal injury via endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondrial system pathway in piglets.

The beneficial effects of xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) on the intestine have been widely reported, including anti-inflammation, antioxidant, maintenance of intestinal epithelial barrier, and treatment of intestinal injury. However, the specific mechanism of XOS in mitigating intestinal injury in weaned piglets remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the specific mechanism of XOS in mitigating intestinal injury. The study is a complete randomized design with 24 weaned piglets in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement that includes diet treatments (basal diet vs 0.02% XOS) and immunological challenge [saline vs lipopolysaccharide (LPS)]. All piglets were fed a basal diet or a XOS diet for 21 days. On day 22, all piglets received an injection of LPS or saline. In this study, dietary XOS increased jejunal villus height, reduced crypt depth and oxidative stress, and enhanced the gene and protein expression of Claudin-1, Occludin, and zonula occludens 1 (P < 0.05). The piglets fed the XOS diet had lower serum Diamine oxidase activity and D-lactic acid content (P < 0.05). In addition, dietary XOS regulates endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-mitochondria system function and the expression of key molecules, including mitochondrial dynamics dysfunction [mitofusin (Mfn)-1, optic atrophy 1, fission 1, and dynamin-related protein 1], ER stress [activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), ATF6, C/EBP homologous protein, eukaryotic initiation factor 2α, glucose-regulated protein (GRP) 78, GRP94 and protein kinase R-like ER kinase] and the mitochondria-associated ER membranes (MAM) disorders (Mfn2, GRP75 and voltage-dlependent anion channel 1) (P < 0.05). Therefore, the findings to indicate that dietary XOS is effective against LPS-induced jejunal injury may be attributed to its ability to alleviate mitochondrial dynamics dysfunction, ER stress, and MAM disorders.

Rapid measurement of soluble xylo-oligomers using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and multivariate statistics: calibration model development and practical approaches to model optimization

BackgroundRapid monitoring of biomass conversion processes using techniques such as near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy can be substantially quicker and less labor-, resource-, and energy-intensive than conventional measurement techniques such as gas or liquid chromatography (GC or LC) due to the lack of solvents and preparation methods, as well as removing the need to transfer samples to an external lab for analytical evaluation. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of rapid monitoring of a biomass conversion process using NIR spectroscopy combined with multivariate statistical modeling, and to examine the impact of (1) subsetting the samples in the original dataset by process location and (2) reducing the spectral range used in the calibration model on model performance.ResultsWe develop multivariate calibration models for the concentrations of soluble xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS), monomeric xylose, and total solids at multiple points in a biomass conversion process which produces and then purifies XOS compounds from sugar cane bagasse. A single model using samples from multiple locations in the process stream showed acceptable performance as measured by standard statistical measures. However, compared to the single model, we show that separate models built by segregating the calibration samples according to process location show improved performance. We also show that combining an understanding of the sample spectra with simple multivariate analysis tools can result in a calibration model with a substantially smaller spectral range that provides essentially equal performance to the full-range model.ConclusionsWe demonstrate that real-time monitoring of soluble xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS), monomeric xylose, and total solids concentration at multiple points in a process stream using NIR spectroscopy coupled with multivariate statistics is feasible. Segregation of sample populations by process location improves model performance. Models using a reduced spectral range containing the most relevant spectral signatures show very similar performance to the full-range model, reinforcing the importance of performing robust exploratory data analysis before beginning multivariate modeling.

Synbiotic effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus fermented with different prebiotics on the digestive enzyme activities, SCFAs and intestinal flora of Macrobrachium rosenbergii in vitro

Synbiotics are combinations of probiotics and prebiotics. It has been shown to be beneficial to aquatic animals. In this study, Lactobacillus rhamnosus was cultured with different prebiotics as the sole carbon source, including inulin, acanthopanax senticosus polysaccharide (ASPS), chitosan oligosaccharide (COS), saposhnikovia divaricata polysaccharide (SDP), polysaccharide of atractylodes macrocephala koidz (PAMK), astragalus polysaccharides (APS), Yu-Ping-Feng polysaccharide (YPFP), xylooligosaccharides (XOS) and mannose (MAN). Screening and gradient experiments revealed that the suitable prebiotics and concentrations were: 2 % MAN, 3 % APS, 3 % YPFP, 4 % PAMK, 3 % SDP. L. rhamnosus (108 CFU/mL) and suitable prebiotics were inoculated into the media supplemented with the intestinal chyme of Macrobrachium rosenbergii. Based on the preliminary screening experiment with the gradients. The in vitro fermentation experiment comprised seven groups: a control group (CT); L. rhamnosus group (LGG); L. rhamnosus + 2 % MAN group (LGG+MAN); L. rhamnosus + 3 % APS group (LGG+APS); L. rhamnosus + 3 % YPFP group (LGG+YPFP); L. rhamnosus + 4 % PAMK group (LGG+PAMK); L. rhamnosus + 3 % SDP group (LGG+SDP). The in vitro fermentation results revealed that the amylase activity was significantly increased in LGG+PAMK, LGG+SDP and LGG+APS groups than in the CT group (P<0.05). The LGG+MAN group showed the highest protease activity (P<0.05), while the activity of lipase was significantly greater in the LGG and LGG+YPFP groups than in the CT group (P<0.05). Moreover, the acetic acid and valeric acid contents were significantly increased in the LGG+PAMK, LGG+YPFP and LGG+SDP groups than in the CT and LGG groups (P<0.05). Additionally, the LGG+APS, LGG+PAMK, LGG+YPFP and LGG+SDP treatments significantly decreased the abundance of Aeromonas (P<0.05). Lactobacillus was more abundant in the LGG+YPFP group than in the other groups (P<0.05). In general, based on in vitro fermentation of M. rosenbergii intestine, the combination of L. rhamnosus with 3 % YPFP is the optimal synbiotic for the prawn.

In vitro and invivo investigation of the biological action of xylooligosaccharides derived from industrial waste.

Xylooligosaccharides (XOS) are prebiotics of significant biological value that can be obtained through cost-effective purification of agricultural waste. The present research featured invitro and invivo investigation of prebiotic effects of xylooligosaccharides derived from wheat bran powder and brewer's spent grain. Prebiotic activity of Lactobacillus. fermentum, Lactobacillus. casei, and Bifidobacterium spp. was investigated invitro using standard selective media. 16S rRNA quantitative PCR used for invitro and invivo investigation quantified relative abundance of Bifidobacterium spp., Lactobacillus spp., and Akkermansia. muciniphila in samples of fecal matter, cecal content, and intestinal tissue. Research revealed a favorable association between XOS concentration and both bacterial count and diameter of resultant colonies. The standard strain of L. casei showed no noticeable effect on growth rate. Bifidobacterium spp. proliferation in intestinal tissue was validated via invivo tests using XOS obtained from wheat bran powder and brewer's spent grain. Findings indicated increased prevalence of the A. muciniphila species and the presence of XOS showed a protective function in preserving the structural integrity of intestinal mucus secretions. The presence of XOS in food indicated direct association with proliferation of Bifidobacterium spp. and A. muciniphila spp. Study results suggest that XOS extracted through enzymatic hydrolysis in Mongolian food industry by-products such as wheat bran products and brewer's spent grain exhibit prebiotic properties that justify XOS manufacture on a large scale and incorporation of XOS as nutritional enhancement in food products and pharmaceuticals.

Combined pretreatment of malic acid and kraft pulping for the production of fermentable sugars and highly active lignin

The separation and utilization of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin in lignocellulosic biorefineries present significant challenges. This study proposes a pretreatment method for biomass refining by combining acid and kraft pulping. Firstly, the biomass was pretreated by malic acid, resulting in the isolation of xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) with a yield of 86.26 % with optimized conditions of 180 °C, 1 wt% concentration, 40 min. Secondly, a mixture of 12.98 wt% NaOH and 1.043 wt% Na2S is employed to achieve lignin removal efficiency up to 63.42 %. Physical refinement techniques are then applied to enhance the enzyme digestion efficiency of cellulose, resulting in an increase from 55.03 % to 91.4 % for efficient cellulose conversion. The reacted samples exhibit a lignin composition rich in β-O-4 ether bonds, facilitating their high-value utilization. The results indicated that the combined pretreatment approach demonstrates high efficiency in separating cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin while obtaining XOS, highly active lignin, and enzyme-digested substrates.

Translational evaluation of Gelsectan® effects on gut barrier dysfunction and visceral pain in animal models and irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea.

Gelsectan® is a formulation of xyloglucan (XG), pea protein, grape seed extract (PPGS) and xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS). Our aim was to examine the effect of Gelsectan® on rectal sensitivity in an animal model, abdominal pain in irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea (IBS-D) subjects and intestinal permeability in both conditions. Animals: Wistar rats received gavage with XOS, XG+PPGS or XG+PPGS+XOS, as a single dose or for 7days before a partial restraint stress (PRS). Visceromotor response to rectal distension and total gut paracellular permeability to 51Cr-EDTA were assessed. Humans: IBS-D and control patients were involved. After initial colonoscopy with biopsy sampling Gelsectan® was administered to IBS-D patients for 12weeks. Stool count and pain scores were documented. After treatment, colonoscopy was repeated. The permeability of biopsy samples was measured in Ussing-chambers. Adherent mucus layer, Muc-2 expression as well as TNFα, Interferon IFNγ were evaluated by histology/immunohistochemistry and ELISA assays, respectively. Animal studies: In control rats, PRS significantly increased visceromotor response as well as gut paracellular permeability. Single dose administration of XG+PPGS+XOS failed to reverse PRS, but 7days of oral treatment reversed PRS-induced rectal hypersensitivity and gut hyperpermeability. Human studies: Gelsectan® treatment significantly reduced and abdominal pain. Intestinal permeability in IBS-D patients was elevated compared with controls, Gelsectan® restored permeability in the ascendent colon. Periodic acid-Schiff-stained mucus layer was significantly thinner in IBS-D patients compared with controls, In both segments, mucus thickness and the proportion of Muc-2 positive cells were not affected by Gelsectan® treatment. IFNγ tissue level in the sigmoid colon shows modest mucosal inflammation in IBS-D. Gelsectan® prevented rectal hypersensitivity in rats, abdominal pain in human and intestinal hyperpermeability in rat and human studies respectively. These effects involve restoration of gut permeability. Based on this translational study, Gelsectan® can be considered as an effective therapy for IBS-D symptoms.

Xylooligosaccharides alleviate the carbohydrate-enriched diet-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction in carp Megalobrama amblycephala by promoting intestinal development, immunity and gut microbiota

To date, although the high-carbohydrate (HC) feed has been extensively adopted in the aquaculture industry, its effects on the intestinal function and development of aquatic animals still remain unclear. In addition, the corresponding nutritional intervention is still barely reported. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of xylooligosaccharides (XOS) on the intestinal health of Megalobrama amblycephala subjected to a HC feeding. Fish (average weight: 44.55 ± 0.15 g) were randomly offered 3 diets, including a control one (29 % carbohydrate), a HC one (41 % carbohydrate), and a XOS supplemented one (HC + 1.0 % XOS, HCX) respectively for 12 weeks. The HC feeding caused morphological abnormalities of intestine, an increased intestinal permeability, and the intestinal immunosuppression, all of which were markedly reversed by XOS administration. In addition, compared with the HC group, HCX feeding remarkably promoted the intestinal activities of digestive and brush border enzymes, and the expressions of cell proliferation-related proteins (Wnt10b and Cyclin D1). The 16s rDNA sequencing also revealed that XOS administration increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria, and decreased that of pathogenic ones. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of XOS improved the intestinal histomorphology, barrier function, cell proliferation and bacterial communities of carbohydrate-overloaded fish Megalobrama amblycephala.