Effect of Dietary Fiber Sources on In-Vitro Fermentation and Microbiota in Monogastrics

Abstract

Feed fiber composition is usually considered as one of the factors that have an impact on digestive tract microbiota composition. The investigations on the level of fermentation and in-vitro digestibility of different fibers are not well understood. The aim of the current study is to determine the effect of different fiber sources on intestinal nutrient digestibility, hindgut fermentation, and microbial community composition under in vitro conditions using pigs’ hindgut as a model. The experimental treatment diets contained alfalfa hay, cornstalk, and rice straw. Cornstalk treatment displayed higher digestibility compared to alfalfa hay and rice straw; similar results were observed with in-vitro digestibility using intestinal digesta. Firmicutes were the most abundant phyla (Firmicutes = 89.2%), and Lactobacillus were the prominent genera (75.2%) in response to alfalfa compared to rice straw and cornstalk treatments. In simulated in-vitro digestion, corn stalk fiber improved dry matter digestibility; rice straw fiber improved volatile fatty acid content and fermentation efficiency. Alfalfa fiber improved the thickness of deposited Firmicutes and Lactobacillus.

Associations between Dietary Intakes and the Gut Microbiome in Children with Solid Tumors after Chemotherapy and Healthy Controls

“…Further work suggested that transitions to the refined diet that lacks soluble fiber is the primary driver of gut microbiota alterations 45 . Therefore, adequate intake of carbohydrates and fiber promotes GI tract health and prevents infections and colonization of the gut by pathogenic microbes 46 . Until now, the exact mechanisms behind the relationship of carbohydrate intake level and gut microbial diversity are still not well studied and should be explored in future investigations.…”