Structure‐Specific Fermentation of Galacto‐Oligosaccharides, Isomalto‐Oligosaccharides and Isomalto/Malto‐Polysaccharides by Infant Fecal Microbiota and Impact on Dendritic Cell Cytokine Responses

Abstract

Scope Next to galacto‐oligosaccharides (GOS), starch‐derived isomalto‐oligosaccharide preparation (IMO) and isomalto/malto‐polysaccharides (IMMP) could potentially be used as prebiotics in infant formulas. However, it remains largely unknown how the specific molecular structures of these non‐digestible carbohydrates (NDCs) impact fermentability and immune responses in infants. Methods and Results In vitro fermentation of GOS, IMO and IMMP using infant fecal inoculum of 2‐ and 8‐week‐old infants shows that only GOS and IMO are fermented by infant fecal microbiota. The degradation of GOS and IMO coincides with an increase in Bifidobacterium and production of acetate and lactate, which is more pronounced with GOS. Individual isomers with an (1↔1)‐linkage or di‐substituted reducing terminal glucose residue are more resistant to fermentation. GOS, IMO, and IMMP fermentation digesta attenuates cytokine profiles in immature dendritic cells (DCs), but the extent is dependent on the infants age and NDC structure. Conclusion The IMO preparation, containing reducing and non‐reducing isomers, shows similar fermentation patterns as GOS in fecal microbiota of 2‐week‐old infants. Knowledge obtained on the substrate specificities of infant fecal microbiota and the subsequent regulatory effects of GOS, IMO and IMMP on DC responses might contribute to the design of tailored NDC mixtures for infants of different age groups.

Structure and function of non-digestible carbohydrates in the gut microbiome

“…It is evident, that GOS preparations can have beneficial effects on microbiota. At the present time, however, we do not have sufficient comparative studies to form any conclusions over the extent to which the health benefits are influenced by structure (Ambrogi et al, 2021;Logtenberg et al, 2021;Zhang et al, 2022).…”

In Vivo Healthy Benefits of Galacto-Oligosaccharides from Lupinus albus (LA-GOS) in Butyrate Production through Intestinal Microbiota

“…Lupinus albus is an important legume in animal and human nutrition due to the high content of protein and other compounds, including fiber and a high proportion of GOS [ 39 , 70 ]. Studies have demonstrated the prebiotic potential of GOS with increases of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in in vivo and in vitro models [ 40 , 48 , 71 ]. In addition, the prebiotic effect is not only in the site of utilization, GOS have been studied for their prebiotics benefits in the lungs and brain [ 72 ].…”

In vitro Effects of Prebiotics and Synbiotics on Apis cerana Gut Microbiota

“…IMO has been a partly digestible carbohydrate and a well-established functional food in Asia for decades ( Goffin et al 2011 ). The ability of IMO to benefit intestinal microbiota has been reported in rats, pigs, and humans, and varied prebiotic potential compared to other types of prebiotics has been observed in several studies ( Koleva et al 2014 ; Okazaki and Katayama 2019 ; Logtenberg et al 2021 ). For example, in a recent study comparing IMO and GOS in vitro fermentation using infant fecal inoculum of 2- and 8-week-old infants IMO showed more inductive effects on Bifidobacterium and acetate and lactate production than GOS ( Logtenberg et al 2021 ).…”

“…The ability of IMO to benefit intestinal microbiota has been reported in rats, pigs, and humans, and varied prebiotic potential compared to other types of prebiotics has been observed in several studies ( Koleva et al 2014 ; Okazaki and Katayama 2019 ; Logtenberg et al 2021 ). For example, in a recent study comparing IMO and GOS in vitro fermentation using infant fecal inoculum of 2- and 8-week-old infants IMO showed more inductive effects on Bifidobacterium and acetate and lactate production than GOS ( Logtenberg et al 2021 ). By contrast, the results in rats fed a high-fat diet observed by Okazaki and Katayama (2019) suggested that both FOS increased fecal Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus and IMO had no impact on these beneficial bacteria.…”