The protective role of prebiotics and probiotics on diarrhea and gut damage in the rotavirus-infected piglets

Rotavirus is one of the pathogenic causes that induce diarrhea in young animals, especially piglets, worldwide. However, nowadays, there is no specific drug available to treat the disease, and the related vaccines have no obvious efficiency in some countries. Via analyzing the pathogenesis of rotavirus, it inducing diarrhea is mainly due to disturb enteric nervous system, destroy gut mucosal integrity, induce intracellular electrolyte imbalance, and impair gut microbiota and immunity. Many studies have already proved that prebiotics and probiotics can mitigate the damage and diarrhea induced by rotavirus infection in hosts. Based on these, the current review summarizes and discusses the effects and mechanisms of prebiotics and probiotics on rotavirus-induced diarrhea in piglets. This information will highlight the basis for the swine production utilization of prebiotics and probiotics in the prevention or treatment of rotavirus infection in the future.

Structural characterization and prebiotic potential of polysaccharides from Polygonatum sibiricum

Polygonatum sibiricum has been widely used due to its excellent biological activities.We prepared a novel polysaccharide from P.sibiricum(PSP)in this study.According a monosaccharide composition analysis,PSP was mainly composed of fructose and glucose with a molar percentage of 93.81:5.12.The main linkage types were identified asα-D-Glcp-1→and→2-β-D-Fruf-1→.The molecular weight of PSP showed no significant change after simulated salivary and gastrointestinal digestion.However,PSP could be broken down by intestinal bacteria.Our findings revealed that PSP administration increased the abundance of probiotics such as Bifidobacterium.Furthermore,the results showed that gut microbes could utilize PSP to produce short-chain fatty acids including acetic acid,propionic acid,and butyric acid.Also,the PSP fermentation broth displayed an excellent scavenging effect on free radicals,including 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical,superoxide radical,and hydroxyl radical.In summary,this study will help to promote the application of PSP as prebiotics in functional food and the medical industry.

Impact of Inulin Extracted, Purified from (Chicory and Globe Artichoke) Roots and the Combination with Maltodextrin as Prebiotic Dietary Fiber on the Functional Properties of Stirred Bio-Yogurt

Inulin is a prebiotic dietary fiber that plays an integral role in producing functional dairy products with improved health benefits. Therefore, the objectives of this study are as follows: extract and purify inulin from chicory roots and globe artichoke roots;evaluate the physicochemical, functional properties and functional groups of the purified inulin;determine the functional properties of chicory roots inulin-maltodextrin and globe artichoke roots inulin-maltodextrin and compare it with that of the commercial inulin;examine the impact of various inulin on physiochemical, microstructural, textural, sensory characteristics and as prebiotic dietary fiber on probiotic bacteria’s viability of stirred bio-yogurt. The characteristics of the microstructure were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy to detect the functional group. The resulting inulin exhibited a high yield and purity along with enhanced functional properties. Stirred bio-yogurt fortified with chicory roots inulin or globe artichoke roots inulin showed enhanced physicochemical, microstructural, microbiological, and overall sensorial acceptability followed by chicory roots inulin-maltodextrin or globe artichoke roots inulin-maltodextrin and the commercial inulin as compared to the control. Stirred bio-yogurt samples can offer various health benefits and wide applications as supplement of prebiotic dietary fiber in dairy industry.

Debranching enzymes decomposed corn arabinoxylan into xylooligosaccharides and achieved prebiotic regulation of gut microbiota in broiler chickens

Background Corn arabinoxylan(AX)is a complicated and multibranched antinutritional factor,thereby proving the use of endo-xylanase(EX)to be marginally valid.This study focused on specific types of AX-degrading enzymes(ADEs)to exert the synergy of debranching enzymes and track the prebiotic potential of enzymatic hydrolysates.This study investigated the effects of ADEs on the growth performance,intestinal histomorphology,absorption functions,changes in polysaccharide components,fermentation,and gut microbiota of broiler chickens.Five hundred seventysix five-day-old Arbor Acres male broiler chickens were randomly allocated into eight treatments with six replicates each.Corn basal diets supplemented with or without enzymes were fed for a 21-day period,specifically including EX,its compatible use with arabinofuranosidase(EXA)or ferulic acid esterase(EXF),and compound groups with the above three enzymes(XAF).Results Specific ADEs stimulated the jejunal villus height and goblet cell number and evidently decreased the crypt depth(P<0.05),while the ratio of ileal villus height to crypt depth was significantly increased in EXF(P<0.05).Maltase activities of ileal mucosa in XAF groups were extremely enhanced(P<0.01),and EX boosted the activity of Na+-K+ATPase in the small intestine(P<0.01).The insoluble AX concentrations comparatively lessened,thereby notably raising the sundry xylooligosaccharide(XOS)yield in the ileal chyme(P<0.05),which was dominant in xylobiose and xylotriose.Improvements in the abundance and diversity of ileal microbial communities within the EXA,EXF,and XAF treatments were observed(P<0.05).Positive correlations between microbiota and XOS were revealed,with xylobiose and xylotriose being critical for ten beneficial bacteria(P<0.05).EXF increased the BWG and FCR of broiler chickens in this phase(P<0.05),which was attributed to the thriving networks modified by Lactobacillus.The intracecal contents of acetic acid,butyric acid,and propionic acid were greatly enhanced in most ADE groups,such as EXF(P<0.05).Conclusions Debranching enzymes appreciably targeted corn AX to release prebiotic XOS in the posterior ileum and facilitated intracaecal fermentation.It was beneficial for improving gut development,digestion and absorption and modulating the microflora to promote the early performance of broiler chickens.

Heat stress in pigs and broilers:role of gut dysbiosis in the impairment of the gut-liver axis and restoration of these effects by probiotics,prebiotics and synbiotics

Heat stress is one of the most challenging stressors for animal production due to high economic losses resulting from impaired animal’s productivity,health and welfare.Despite the fact that all farm animal species are susceptible to heat stress,birds and pigs are particularly sensitive to heat stress due to either lacking or non-functional sweat glands.Con-vincing evidence in the literature exists that gut dysbiosis,a term used to describe a perturbation of commensal gut microbiota,develops in broilers and pigs under heat stress.Owing to the protective role of commensal bacteria for the gut barrier,gut dysbiosis causes a disruption of the gut barrier leading to endotoxemia,which contributes to the typical characteristics of heat stressed broilers and growing and growing-finishing pigs,such as reduced feed intake,decreased growth and reduced lean carcass weight.A substantial number of studies have shown that feeding of probiotics,prebiotics and synbiotics is an efficacious strategy to protect broilers from heat stress-induced gut barrier disruption through altering the gut microbiota and promoting all decisive structural,biochemical,and immunologi-cal elements of the intestinal barrier.In most of the available studies in heat stressed broilers,the alterations of gut microbiota and improvements of gut barrier function induced by feeding of either probiotics,prebiotics or synbiot-ics were accompanied by an improved productivity,health and/or welfare when compared to non-supplemented broilers exposed to heat stress.These findings indicate that the restoration of gut homeostasis and function is a key target for dietary interventions aiming to provide at least partial protection of broilers from the detrimental impact of heat stress conditions.Despite the fact that the number of studies dealing with the same feeding strategy in heat stressed pigs is limited,the available few studies suggest that feeding of probiotics might also be a suitable approach to enhance productivity,health and welfare in pigs kept under heat stress conditions.

Analyzing the Prebiotic Potential of Glucosamine for Targeting the Gut Microbiome Health

Recognizing the composition and modulation of the microbiome, a viable therapeutic tool for multi-targeted therapy is a new strategy that has recently been explored. Glucosamine (GS) is being studied for its prebiotic potential in addition to being the most abundant and naturally occurring amino monosaccharide. The current study focuses on glucosamine’s prebiotic potential by assessing the stability of various GS concentrations (1% - 5%) in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and its ability to be fermented by the gut microbiota. The results showed that GS stimulated the most growth in L. acidophilus even after a longer incubation time than B. bifidum and L. acidophilus growth was concentration-dependent, with maximum growth at 3% with a simultaneous decrease in pH (5.6 - 1.7). The decrease in GS concentration with time also represented the growth of bacterial species, demonstrating the species’ utilization of GS. Furthermore, at 3%, GS also represented the prebiotic index of 1.9. In addition, the concentration of GS in various simulated GIT fluids was estimated in both fast and fed conditions to examine GS stability at various levels in the gut. The results showed that GS remained unaffected and non-digestible in all of the simulated GIT fluids (salivary, gastric, intestinal, and colonic), but there was a slight decrease in GS concentration (2.8%) in the fasted state of gastric fluid due to low pH levels (1.6). As a result, the findings are conclusive and suggest that GS possesses prebiotic properties.

Fiber and prebiotic supplementation in enteral nutrition:A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM:To investigate fiber and prebiotic supplementation of enteral nutrition(EN) for diarrhea,fecal microbiota and short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs).METHODS:MEDLINE,EMBASE,Cochrane Library,CINAHL,Academic Search Premier,and Web of Science databases were searched for human experimental and observational cohort studies conducted between January 1990 and June 2014.The keywords used for the literature search were fiber,prebiotics and enteral nutrition.English language studies with adult patient populations on exclusive EN were selected.Abstracts and/or full texts of selected studies were reviewed and agreed upon by two independent researchers for inclusion in the meta-analysis.Tools used for the quality assessment were Jadad Scale and the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network Critical Appraisal of the Medical Literature.RESULTS:A total of 456 possible articles were retrieved,and 430 were excluded due to lack of appropriate data.Of the 26 remaining studies,only eight investigated the effects of prebiotics.Results of the meta-analysis indicated that overall,fiber reduces diarrhea in patients receiving EN(OR = 0.47;95%CI:0.29-0.77;P = 0.02).Subgroup analysis revealed a positive effect of fiber supplementation in EN towards diarrhea in stable patients(OR = 0.31;95%CI:0.19-0.51;P < 0.01),but not in critically ill patients(OR = 0.89;95%CI:0.41-1.92;P = 0.77).Prebiotic supplementation in EN does not improve the incidence of diarrhea despite its manipulative effect on bifidobacteria concentrations and SCFA in healthy humans.In addition,the effect of fiber and/or prebiotic supplementation towards fecal microbiota and SCFA remain disputable.CONCLUSION:Fiber helps minimize diarrhea in patients receiving EN,particularly in non-critically ill patients.However,the effect of prebiotics in moderating diarrhea is inconclusive.

Prebiotic UG1601 mitigates constipation-related events in association with gut microbiota: A randomized placebo-controlled intervention study

BACKGROUND Constipation is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder and its etiology is multifactorial.Growing evidence suggests that intestinal dysbiosis is associated with the development of constipation.Prebiotics are subjected to bacterial fermentation in the gut to produce short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs),which can help relieve constipation symptoms.The prebiotic UG1601 consists of inulin,lactitol,and aloe vera gel,which are known laxatives,but randomized,controlled clinical trials that examine the effects of this supplement on gut microbiota composition are lacking.AIM To assess the efficacy of the prebiotic UG1601 in suppressing constipation-related adverse events in subjects with mild constipation.METHODS Adults with a stool frequency of less than thrice a week were randomized to receive either prebiotics or a placebo supplement for 4 wk.All participants provided their fecal and blood samples at baseline and at the end of intervention.Gastrointestinal symptoms and stool frequency were evaluated.The concentrations of serum endotoxemia markers and fecal SCFAs were determined.The relative abundance of SCFA-producing bacteria and the gut microbial community in the responders and non-responders in the prebiotics supplementation group were evaluated.RESULTS There were no significant differences in gastrointestinal symptoms between groups,although the prebiotic group showed greater symptom improvement.However,after prebiotic usage,serum cluster of differentiation(CD)14 and lipopolysaccharide(LPS)concentrations were significantly decreased(CD14,P=0.012;LPS,P<0.001).The change in LPS concentration was significantly larger in the prebiotic group than in the placebo group(P<0.001).Fecal SCFAs concentrations did not differ between groups,while the relative abundance of Roseburia hominis,a major butyrate producer,was significantly increased in the prebiotic group(P=0.045).The abundances of the phylum Firmicutes and the family Lachnospiraceae(phylum Firmicutes,class Clostridia)(P=0.009)were decreased in the responders within the prebiotic group.In addition,the proportions of the phylum Firmicutes,the class Clostridia,and the order Clostridiales were inversely correlated with several fecal SCFAs(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Alterations in gut microbiota composition,including a decrease in the phylum Firmicutes and an increase in butyrate-producing bacteria,following prebiotic UG1601 supplementation might help alleviate symptom scores and endotoxemia.

The influence of in ovo injection with the prebiotic DiNovoon the development of histomorphological parameters of the duodenum, body mass and productivity in large-scale poultry production conditions

Background: Among various feed additives currently used in poultry nutrition, an important role is played by bioactive substances, including prebiotics. The beneficial effect of these bioactive substances on the gastrointestinal tract and immune system give rise to improvements in broiler health and performance nutrition, thus increasing the productivity of these birds. An innovative method for introducing bioactive substances into chickens is the in ovo injection into eggs intended for hatching. The aim of the study was to evaluate the development of histomorphological parameters of the duodenum and productivity in chickens injected in ovo with the prebiotic DiNovo~?(extract of Laminaria species of seaweed, BioA tlantis Ltd., Ireland) on d 12 of incubation, under large-scale, high density poultry production conditions.Results: There was no significant impact of the injection of DiNovo~? prebiotic on the production parameters of broiler chickens(body weight, FCR, EBI and mortality) obtained on d 42 of rearing. No significant impact of the DiNovo~? injection on the duodenum weight and length was observed, as wel as on the CSA, diameter and muscular layer thickness of the duodenum. The in ovo injection of DiNovo~? significantly increased the width of the duodenal vil i(P < 0.05) and crypt depth(P < 0.01) of chickens on d 21 of rearing. Other histomorphological parameters of duodenal vil i at d 42 of chickens rearing such as: the height, width, and cross section area of vil i were significantly greater in chickens from the control group compared to those from the DiNovo~? group(P < 0.05 and P < 0.01).Conclusions: In conclusion, this study demonstrates that injection of DiNovo~? prebiotic into the air chamber of egg significantly influences the histomorphological parameters on d 21 of rearing without negatively affecting productivity in chickens at the end of rearing.

Microbiota shaping — the effects of probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplant on cognitive functions: A systematic review

BACKGROUND Dementia is a chronic progressive neurological disease affecting millions of people worldwide,and represents a relevant economic burden for healthcare systems.Although its pathogenesis is still unknown,recent findings have reported that a dysregulated gut-brain axis communication,a fundamental relationship mediated by several host and microbial molecules,is associated with cognitive disorders.In addition,gut microbiota manipulation reduces neuroinflammation,improving cognitive function by restoring the functional gut-brain axis.AIM To better define the effects of probiotics,prebiotics,synbiotics,and fecal microbiota transplant(FMT)on cognitive function.METHODS We performed a literature search of human randomized clinical trials to examine the effects of the administration of probiotics,prebiotics,synbiotics,or FMT on cognition outcomes in healthy or sick people of every age,sex,and nationality.We systematically searched Embase,Medline/PubMed,Cochrane Library,central and clinicaltrials.gov databases with a combination of comprehensive terms related to cognition and gut microbiota manipulation.Then we carefully reviewed and synthesized the data by type of study design and setting,characteristics of the studied population,kind of intervention(strain type or mixture type,dosage,and frequency of administration),control treatment,inclusion and exclusion criteria,follow-up duration,and cognitive or memory outcomes.RESULTS After examining the titles and abstracts,the initial literature screening identified 995 articles,but we added 23 papers in our systematic review.The analyses of these selected studies highlighted that both probiotic supplementation and FMT improved cognitive function regardless of the type and posology of administration and the adopted cognitive tests and questionnaires.We found that most of the studies conducted in healthy people showed a significant positive effect of the intervention on at least one of the performed cognitive tests.Regarding unhealthy subjects,while FMT and especially probiotic administration had multiple beneficial effects on different cognitive functions,supplementation with prebiotics did not provide any cognitive improvement.CONCLUSION Probiotic supplementation and FMT may represent a promising strategy to restore gut eubiosis and enhance the cognitive functions of healthy people and patients with neurological disorders.

The Importance of Prebiotics in Functional Foods and Clinical Practice

Prebiotics are substances that can promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms, mainly in the intestinal tract, and will modify the colonic microbiota. The following health benefits are attributed to prebiotics: relief from poor digestion of lactose, increased resistance to bacterial infection, better immune response and possible protection against cancer, reduction of the risk of diseases such as intestinal disease, cardiovascular disease, non-insulin dependent diabetes, obesity and osteoporosis. This article presents a discussion of prebiotics, with descriptions of the concepts and its use in clinical practice, and a review of some recent research showing the benefits that these ingredients provide to human health and providing data on the recommended intakes for consumption.

Gut microbiota and obesity:Impact of antibiotics and prebiotics and potential for musculoskeletal health

Obesity is a complex disease with multiple contributing factors.One of the most intensely studied factors during the past decade has been the gut microbiota,which is the community of all microbes in the intestinal tract.The gut microbiota,via energy extraction,inflammation,and other actions,is now recognized as an important player in the pathogenesis of obesity.Dysbiosis,or an imbalance in the microbial community,can initiate a cascade of metabolic disturbances in the host.Early life is a particularly important period for the development of the gut microbiota,and perturbations such as with antibiotic exposure can have long-lasting consequences for host health.In early life and throughout the life span,diet is one of the most important factors that shape the gut microbiota.Although diets high in fat and sugar have been shown to contribute to dysbiosis and disease,dietary fiber is recognized as an important fermentative fuel for the gut microbiota and results in the production of short-chain fatty acids that can act as signaling molecules in the host.One particular type of fiber,prebiotic fiber,contributes to changes in the gut microbiota,the most notable of which is an increase in the abundance of Bifidobacterium.This review highlights our current understanding of the role of gut microbiota in obesity development and the ways in which manipulating the microbiota through dietary means,specifically prebiotics,could contribute to improved health in the host,including musculo skeletal health.

Resolution of acute gastroenteritis symptoms in children and adults treated with a novel polyphenol-based prebiotic

AIM:To test efficacy and durability of a polyphenolbased prebiotic treatment for acute gastroenteritis in a300 patient double-blinded clinical study.METHODS:A two-arm randomized,double-blinded,placebo-controlled clinical study was conducted at two public health centers in Managua,Nicaragua.Potential subjects who qualified based on inclusion and exclusion criteria were randomly assigned to one of two treatment arms.Two thirds of the subjects(n=200)received a single titrated 0.5-2 ounce liquid dose of a novel polyphenol-based prebiotic(AlivaTM)diluted with 2 to eight ounces of oral rehydration solution(ORS).One third of the subjects(n=100)were randomized to receive two liquid ounces of a taste and color-matched placebo diluted in eight ounces of ORS.The outcome variables measured included stool consistency,stomach discomfort,gas and bloating,and heartburn/indigestion.The study subjects ranked their stool consistency and the severity of their subjective symptoms at specified intervals from immediately prior to treatment,to five days post treatment.All subjects recorded their symptoms in a study diary.The study subjects also recorded the time and consistencies of all stools in their study diary.Stool consistency was compared to the picture and descriptions on the Bristol Stool Chart,and any stool rated greater than Type4 was considered unformed.The clinical study team reviewed the study diaries with subjects during daily follow-up calls and close-out visits,and recorded the data in case report forms.RESULTS:After receiving a single dose,Aliva treated subjects reported shorter median time to their last unformed stool(1 h 50 min)than placebo treated subjects(67 h 50 min.),a statistically significant difference[95%CI:-3178-(-2018),P=0.000].Aliva treated subjects also reported shorter median their time to last unformed stool(TTLUS)(1hrs 50 min)than placebo treated subjects(67 h 50 min),which was also a statistically significant difference(P=0.000).The percentage of subjects recording TTLUS was greater for those who received Aliva vs placebo at 30 min(P=0.027),2 h(P=0.000),24 h(P=0.000),48 h(P=0.000),72 h(P=0.000),and 5 d(P=0.000)post dose.There were 146 study subjects 14 years old or older,which was the criteria set for reliable self-reporting of subjective symptoms.Of those 146 subjects,142reported stomach pain and discomfort during screening.From 90 minutes[95%CI:-1.8-(-0.01),P=0.048]through 5 d[95%CI:-3.4-(-1.9),P=0.000),the subjects treated with Aliva experienced significantly less stomach pain and discomfort than those who received placebo.Of those same 146 participants,114 subjects reported gas and bloating during screening.Similarly,subjects who received Aliva experienced significantly less gas and bloating from 2 h[95%CI:-1.7-(-0.39),P=0.030]through 5 d(95%CI:-2.0-0.42,P=0.005)compared with the placebo arm.CONCLUSION:In this double-blind,randomized clinical study,subjects with acute gastroenteritis receiving Aliva prebiotic showed significant and sustained improvement of multiple symptoms vs those receiving placebo.

Immunomodulation by probiotics and prebiotics in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is the most prevalent primary malignancy in patients suffering from chronic liver diseases and cirrhosis.Recent attention has been paid to the involvement of the gut-liver axis(GLA)in HCC pathogenesis.This axis results from a bidirectional,anatomical and functional relationship between the gastrointestinal system and the liver.Moreover,the complex network of interactions between the intestinal microbiome and the liver plays a crucial role in modulation of the HCC-tumor microenvironment,contributing to the pathogenesis of HCC by exposing the liver to pathogen-associated molecular patterns,such as bacterial lipopolysaccharides,DNA,peptidoglycans and flagellin.Indeed,the alteration of gut microflora may disturb the intestinal barrier,bringing several toll-like receptor ligands to the liver thus activating the inflammatory response.This review explores the new therapeutic opportunities that may arise from novel insights into the mechanisms by which microbiota immunomodulation,represented by probiotics,and prebiotics,affects HCC through the GLA.

Chemopreventive Potential of Probiotics and Prebiotics

Utilization of probiotics and prebiotics in food products and in the diet supplemental form continues to gain interest because of their health benefits. Cancer is the leading cause of death and strategies for chemoprevention are important to reduce mortality and morbidity. Probiotics are gaining attention to use as preventive agents. Efficacy of their use as chemopreventive agents was established through research. This review focused on the mechanisms of prebiotics and probiotics action against cancer. Benefits of probiotics against cancer are attributed to competitive exclusion of pathogenic bacteria, direct physical binding to carcinogens, altering intestinal environment to modulate the production enzymes, antioxidant activity and immune modulation. Prebiotics are indigestible food components that could promote the growth of probiotics. Chemopreventive properties of prebiotics are due to their production of short chain fatty acids and enhancing the immunity of the host. Anticarcinogenic properties of pre- and probiotics result from a combination of events rather from a single event.

Prebiotic-Like Effects of SweetPearl&#174;Maltitol through Changes in Caecal and Fecal Parameters

Prebiotic-like effects of maltitol were investigated supplementing two groups of rats with either 5% maltodextrin (control group) or 5% maltitol (maltitol group). A third group was supplemented with 5% maltitol at first and then with 5% maltodextrin (maltitol/maltodextrin group). Faecal parameters were monitored throughout the experiment and caecal parameters at the end. The weights of caecal content and caecal wall were significantly higher in the maltitol group than in the control group, but not in the maltitol/maltodextrin group. Propionic acid concentration was significantly higher in the maltitol group compared to both control and maltitol/maltodextrin group. Faecal parameters were also influenced by the dietary supplementation with maltitol: the amount of dry matter in feces decreased and alpha-glucosidase activity increased. These effects lasted 28 days in the maltitol only group, whereas they stopped some days after the switch to maltodextrin in the maltitol/maltodextrin group. Maltitol could induce prebiotic-like effects.

Study on prebiotic effectiveness of neutral garlic fructan in vitro

Garlic is traditionally believed to have many health benefits including prevention of gastrointestinal diseases.One of the major components,garlic fructan(GF),was evaluated for its prebiotic effectiveness on human intestinal microflora.Garlic fructans A(DP 16)and B(DP 21)were prepared by ethanol fractionation precipitation.Then,they were added to an in vitro fermentation system as the sole carbon source inoculated with human fecal suspension.The total anaerobic bacteria,Bacteroides and Bifidobacteria,were enumerated by plate counting on selective media.Terminal restriction fragment length polymerization(tRFLP)was used to analyze DNA extracted from the in vitro cultures.The results indicated that the log CFUs of both Bacteroides(GF A 6.96,GF B 7.15)and Bifidobacteria(GF A 7.74,GF B 7.74)grown in the GF cultures at 24 h were significantly higher than those at 0 h(Bacteroides 4.93,Bifidobacteria 4.78)(P<0.05).Terminal restriction fragments(TRFs)256–258 bp(ascribed to Bifidobacterium)in the profiles were also observed higher in the TRFLP profiles from the garlic fructans’cultures.In this study,GFs were found to selectively stimulate the growth of beneficial Bifidobacteria from human fecal microflora.The prebiotic effectiveness of GFs supports the use of garlic as a way to prevent some gastrointestinal diseases.©2013 Beijing Academy of Food Sciences.Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.All rights reserved.

Xylooligosaccharides (XOS) as Emerging Prebiotics: Its Production from Lignocellulosic Material

Prebiotics are non-digestible food supplements (oligosaccharides) which play an important role in stimulating the growth of beneficial bacteria especially Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria in the colon of the host. Xylooligosaccharides (XOS) are more effective than other oligosaccharides such as fructo-oligosaccharides as dietary supplements. Chemical methods are preferred to produce XOS mixtures with a wide DP range, while enzymatic methods are preferred in the food or pharmaceutical industries to reduce formation of degradation products. With the growing importance of making fuels fromlignocellulosic biomass (LCM) and the increasing demand for XOS, more opportunities are emerging to utilize xylan-rich component generated in biorefinery into high-value products such as XOS that could further lower the cost of LCM derived biofuels.

Fiber and prebiotic supplementation in enteral nutrition： asystematic review and meta-analysis

AIM To investigate fiber and prebiotic supplementationof enteral nutrition （EN） for diarrhea, fecal microbiotaand short-chain fatty acids （SCFAs）.METHODS： MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library,CINAHL, Academic Search Premier, and Web of Sciencedatabases were searched for human experimentaland observational cohort studies conducted betweenJanuary 1990 and June 2014. The keywords used forthe literature search were fiber, prebiotics and enteralnutrition. English language studies with adult patientpopulations on exclusive EN were selected. Abstractsand/or full texts of selected studies were reviewedand agreed upon by two independent researchersfor inclusion in the meta-analysis. Tools used for thequality assessment were Jadad Scale and the ScottishIntercollegiate Guidelines Network Critical Appraisal ofthe Medical Literature.RESULTS： A total of 456 possible articles wereretrieved, and 430 were excluded due to lack ofappropriate data. Of the 26 remaining studies, onlyeight investigated the effects of prebiotics. Resultsof the meta-analysis indicated that overall, fiberreduces diarrhea in patients receiving EN （OR = 0.47;95%CI： 0.29-0.77; P = 0.02）. Subgroup analysisrevealed a positive effect of fiber supplementation inEN towards diarrhea in stable patients （OR = 0.31;95%CI： 0.19-0.51; P 〈 0.01）, but not in critically illpatients （OR = 0.89; 95%CI： 0.41-1.92; P = 0.77）.Prebiotic supplementation in EN does not improve theincidence of diarrhea despite its manipulative effecton bifidobacteria concentrations and SCFA in healthyhumans. In addition, the effect of fiber and/or prebioticsupplementation towards fecal microbiota and SCFAremain disputable.CONCLUSION： Fiber helps minimize diarrhea inpatients receiving EN, particularly in non-critically illpatients. However, the effect of prebiotics in moderatingdiarrhea is inconclusive.

Effects of common prebiotics on iron status and production of colonic short-chain fatty acids in anemic rats

Prebiotics may enhance iron absorption,and one plausible mechanism involves the production of shortchain fatty acids(SCFA)in the colon by intestinal microflora.The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of common commercially-available prebiotics including fructooligosaccharide(FOS),inulin,FOS-inulin mixture,galactooligosaccharide(GOS),and lactulose on the iron status of anemic rats,and to monitor changes in the production of colonic SCFA.Anemic Sprague-Dawley rats receiving a lowiron diet(12μg Fe/g diet)were supplemented with or without prebiotics(5%m/V in drinking water)for 5 weeks.Hemoglobin concentration in rats supplemented with GOS after 3 weeks(4.3 g/dL)was significantly higher than rats without supplementation(3.7 g/dL),while FOS also significantly increased hemoglobin concentration after 4 weeks(4.1 g/dL vs.3.7 g/dL).All other prebiotics showed no effects.Anemic rats showed lower overall SCFA production in the colon than normal rats,and only FOS signifi cantly increased the production of the three main SCFA(acetic acid,propionic acid and isobutyric acid)identifi ed in anemic rats,with other prebiotics showing no noticeable trends.Our results suggest that GOS and FOS may slightly improve iron status of anemic rats,but the role of SCFA in the colon is not clear.