Effects of Fructans from Mexican Agave in Newborns Fed with Infant Formula: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: The importance of prebiotics consumption is increasing all over the world due to their beneficial effects on health. Production of better prebiotics from endemic plants raises possibilities to enhance nutritional effects in vulnerable population groups. Fructans derived from Agave Plant have demonstrated their safety and efficacy as prebiotics in animal models. Recently, the safety in humans of two fructans obtained from Agave tequilana (Metlin® and Metlos®) was demonstrated. Methods: This study aimed to demonstrate the efficacy as prebiotics of Metlin® and Metlos® in newborns of a randomized, double blind, controlled trial with a pilot study design. Biological samples were taken at 20 ± 7 days, and three months of age from healthy babies. Outcomes of efficacy include impact on immune response, serum ferritin, C-reactive protein, bone metabolism, and gut bacteria changes. Results: There were differences statistically significant for the groups of infants fed only with infant formula and with formula enriched with Metlin® and Metlos®. Conclusions: Our results support the efficacy of Metlin® and Metlos® as prebiotics in humans, and stand the bases to recommend their consumption. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT 01251783.

The fructan syndrome: Evolutionary aspects and common themes among plants and microbes

“…Inulin neoseries (4) and levan neoseries (5) fructans are characterized by an internal glucose moiety due to the activity of a fructan:fructan 6 G fructosyltransferases (6G‐FFT; EC 2.4.1.243) and are found in onion ( Allium cepa ), oat ( Avena sativa ), and perennial rye‐grass ( Lolium perenne ) among others (Livingston, Hincha, & Heyer, ). Recently, the prebiotic effects of graminans and neoseries fructans have also been studied (López‐Velázquez et al, ; Verspreet, Dornez, Van den Ende, Delcour, & Courtin, ).…”

“…In Agave plants (Agavaceae), a complex mixture of graminan‐type fructans and neoseries fructans has been identified and characterized (López, Mancilla‐Margalli, & Mendoza‐Diaz, ; Mancilla‐Margalli & López, ; Suárez‐González, López, Délano‐Frier, & Gómez‐Leyva, ). These so‐called agavins (Figure c) are industrially produced in Mexico and show promising prebiotic effects (López‐Velázquez et al, ; Moreno‐Vilet et al, ). Wang, Hua, and Yan () described a branched fructan containing β‐2,6 and β‐2,1 linkages in the dicot species Achyranthes bidentate , a Chinese medicinal plant belonging to the Amaranthaceae.…”

Fructans As DAMPs or MAMPs: Evolutionary Prospects, Cross-Tolerance, and Multistress Resistance Potential

“…So far, most research is focused on inulin-type fructans derived from chicory ( Cichorium intybus ), but other types of plant fructans such as agavins ( Agave tequilana , López-Velázquez et al, 2015) and graminans (cereals, Verspreet et al, 2015) are under study. Dietary fructans are degraded by fructan-degrading enzymes from microbes in the colon, since animals lack fructan-degrading enzymes (Capitán-Cañadas et al, 2014; Peshev and Van den Ende, 2014).…”

Delivery mode-associated gut microbiota in the first 3 months of life in a country with high obesity rates

“…The study was conducted from February to August 2010. [27] Infant stool samples were collected at birth (12 ± 4 days) and at 3 to 4 months after birth for analysis of gut microbiota.…”