Short-chain fatty acid content and pH in caecum of rats given various sources of carbohydrates

The caecal content of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA; acetic, propionic and butyric acid), caecal pH, fermentability and dry matter digestibility (DMD) were examined through balance experiments in rats fed 11 various indigestible carbohydrates. The following carbohydrate sources were incorporated into test diets: cellulose, oat husk, wheat bran, oat bran, pea fibre, linseed fibre, low methoxylated (LM)-pectin, guargum, β-glucans, neosugar and raffinose. The indigestible carbohydrates, except for those in wheat bran, oat husk and cellulose, were highly fermented, ie > 90%. Caecal pH varied between 5·6 and 7·8, with neosugar and raffinose causing the lowest pH and the fibre-free diet and the diet with oat husk the highest. The caecal pool sizes of SCFA were highest with raffinose, β-glucans, LM-pectin, guargum and linseed fibre (335-400 μmol) while pea fibre, wheat bran, oat bran and neosugar gave intermediate levels (137–227 μmol). The pool size with oat husk and cellulose was similar as with the basal diet (45–64 μmol). A high proportion of propionic acid was obtained with guargum and linseed fibre, whereas acetic acid was the predominant product in case of LM-pectin. On the other hand, linseed fibre gave a remarkably low proportion of butyric acid. The quantity fermented and caecal pH correlated well to the amount of SCFA with most materials (r = 0·96 and r = ?0·87, respectively), an exception was neosugar and in case of fermentability also oat bran. DMD values with most of the easily fermented carbohydrates were high (>96%). Exceptions were diets with β-glucans and oat bran which caused low DMD values, about 93%. It is concluded that indigestible carbohydrates may differ in ability to lower caecal pH and to form SCFA during fermentation.     

Short‐chain fatty acid content in the hindgut of rats fed various composite foods and commercial dietary fibre fractions from similar sources

The fermentability of indigestible carbohydrates and content of short‐chain fatty acids along the hindgut of rats were investigated using plant materials of importance in the Swedish diet (instant potato powder, apples and oat flakes). Results with the composite food products were compared with commercial fibre fractions obtained from similar sources, ie potato fibre, apple pectin and β‐glucan‐enriched oat fibre. The materials were incorporated into diets yielding a concentration of 60 or 70 g kg^?1 indigestible carbohydrates. The fermentability of indigestible carbohydrates was high with all diets, between 79 and 90%. All substrates except the pure apple pectin generated intermediate to high proportions of butyric acid in the caecum (15–22 vs 8%). The potato products gave high concentrations of butyric acid in the distal colon. The potato powder, ie the diet with the highest content of resistant starch (22 g kg^?1), also gave the highest proportion of butyric acid in the distal colon (19%), which was higher than the proportion in the caecum with the same substrate (15%) (P < 0.005). The composite foods promoted a higher proportion of butyric acid in the distal colon as compared with the commercial fibre fractions (P < 0.05). © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Production of short-chain fatty acids from resistant starch in a pig model

This study was performed to estimate the pool of SCFA produced in the digestive tract of growing pigs after the consumption of diets containing dif-ferent sources of resistant starch (RS) (15 g per meal) (potato starch (PoS), high amylose maize starch (HS) and retrograded extruded HS (RHS)). SCFA production in vitro was respectively 19, 23 and 21 mmol g⁻¹ of fermented PoS, HS and RHS. The highest butyric acid production was observed with PoS. Fifty six, 36 and 19% respectively of ingested PoS, HS and RHS escaped digestion in the small intestine, whereas residual starch was completely fermented in the large bowel. Luminal total SCFA in the caeco-colon 7 h after the experimental meal were respectively 33, 78 and 105 mmol for PoS, HS and RHS, with PoS providing the highest production of butyric acid. Theoretical in vivo SCFA production, calculated on the basis of results for in vitro fermentation and ileal digestibility, differed from in vivo results for PoS (+65%) and HS (-13%), but not for RHS. This study reveals different rates of disappearance of RS both in vitro and in vivo. © 1998 SCI.     

Short-chain fatty acids in control of energy metabolism

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), especially acetate, propionate and butyrate, are the end products from the intestinal microbial fermentation of dietary fibers and resistant starch. It has been well documented that plasma and colonic SCFAs are associated with metabolic syndromes. Recently, the involvement of SCFAs in energy homeostasis regulation has been extensively studied. The importance of SCFAs on energy metabolism has highlighted the potential of modulating SCFAs as a nutritional target to prevent and counteract metabolism disorders and its associated diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Here, we summarize the current knowledge about the biological properties of SCFAs with their impact on the energy homeostasis.     

抗性淀粉直链淀粉含量测定及消化性研究

以蜡质玉米淀粉为原料,经过糊化后使用普鲁兰酶脱支,产生更多的短直链淀粉重新结晶来制备抗性淀粉。通过碘吸光度法测定,直链淀粉含量高的样品的抗性淀粉含量不一定高,但直链淀粉含量低的样品不容易产生高含量抗性淀粉。在In-Vitro消化模型中,和原淀粉相比,所有的抗性淀粉样品消化产物的量、还原糖释放率和平均消化速率都减少或降低,并且抗性淀粉含量越高,减少或降低得越多。     

Effects of two contrasting dietary fibres on starch digestion,short‐chain fatty acid production and transit time in rats

Dietary fibres may cause dietary starch to escape digestion in the small intestine and enter the large intestine. If this results from the dietary fibres reducing the gastrointestinal transit time, those dietary fibres that reduce this the most would be expected to cause the most starch to escape digestion. We tested in rats the relative abilities of two contrasting dietary fibres, apple pectin (a soluble dietary fibre) and wheat straw (an insoluble, lignified dietary fibre), to reduce the whole gut transit time and to cause dietary starch to escape digestion. We provided male Wistar rats with a control, modified AIN‐76™ diet containing 20% fat but no dietary fibre, and with this diet containing 10% dietary fibre; the dietary fibre replaced the equivalent weight of starch in the control diet. Both dietary fibres, but particularly wheat straw, reduced the transit time compared with the fibre‐free control diet. Pectin, but not wheat straw, resulted in substantial amounts of starch in the caecal contents. This effect may result from the pectin increasing the viscosity of the digesta or causing it to gel. Large amounts of short‐chain fatty acids were found only in the caeca of rats provided with pectin. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

In vitro fermentation of different types of α-amylase resistant corn starches

α -amylase resistant corn starches were in vitro fermented (72 h) using cecal content of rat as inoculum. Resistant starches were prepared from native (NCS), retrograded (RS_A ), and retrograded and boiled (RS_B ) corn starch by treatment with α-amylase to remove digestible starch. Short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, molar ratios (acetate: propionate: butyrate), fermentability with respect to lactulose and dry matter disappearance were measured. SCFA production was significantly correlated with non-fermented residue (P <0.001). The three starches showed a similar fermentability, although the rate of SCFA production and disappearance of substrate were slower for retrograded starches. NCS was fermented early while RS_A and RS_B prolonged their degradation to 72 h. There were slight differences in the molar ratios of acetate, propionate and butyrate. Structural changes in the materials were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In summary, commonly utilised domestic cooking and technological treatments modified the in vitro fermentative characteristics of resistant corn starches probably due to structural changes. Received: 15 November 1999 / Revised version: 27 January 2000     

Effects of different types of potato resistant starches on intestinal microbiota and short-chain fatty acids under in vitro fermentation

The prebiotic effects of potato resistant starches RS1, RS2, RS3a, RS3b and RS4 were studied using simulated gut fermentation in vitro. The intestinal microbial composition was significantly changed by resistant starch (RS) after 24-h fermentation. All RSs (P < 0.05) decreased the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B), and RS2 exhibited the lowest value of 0.95 ± 0.07. The relative abundance of Bifidobacterium was significantly increased by RS4, whereas Megamonas and Prevotella were promoted by RS2. Further, RS4 produced the highest levels of acetate (138.34 µM), whereas RS2 produced the highest levels of propionate (41.45 µM) and butyrate (21.65 µM). However, Bifidobacterium did not promote the production of propionate or butyrate, even though it was proficient in fermenting RS. Megamonas and Prevotella were positively associated with the higher production of propionate and butyrate. Here, different RSs played key roles in promoting intestinal health, and RS2 especially showed more abundant probiotic functions.     

Long‐term effects on the digestive tract of feeding large amounts of resistant starch: A study in pigs

The present study aimed to assess the digestive consequences of the long‐term intake of two starches providing different amounts of resistant starch. Growing pigs were used as the animal model and meal‐fed for 14 weeks on a diet containing a high amount of either raw potato starch (RPS) or corn starch (CS). Digestive adaptation was chronologically evaluated by measuring organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and starch digestibility. After 97 days, whole‐tract digestibility of OM, CP and NDF was lower for RPS‐ compared to CS‐fed pigs, whereas no differences were observed in faecal starch digestibility. In contrast, starch digestibility was reduced in the proximal compartments (ileum, caecum and proximal colon) of animals fed the RPS diet. The concentration of short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs; P < 0.05), and purine bases (PBs; P < 0.01) was also higher in distal colon and rectum of animals fed the RPS diet. Changes in bacterial community structure (dendogram analyses) were seen in the rectum. Biodiversity tends to increase more in RPS compared to CS fed animals (34.1 vs. 28.8; P = 0.07). Among SCFAs, the proportion of butyrate was two‐fold higher in proximal colon digesta of RPS compared to CS fed pigs (0.20 vs. 0.11; P < 0.05). Increased butyrate formation in the colon reduced the number of apoptosis per crypt in the proximal colonic mucosa (0.38 vs. 0.62; P < 0.05). RPS fermentation reduced indices associated with damage to intestinal epithelial cells, such as crypt cell hyperproliferation and magnesium excretion. Long‐term ingestion of RPS induces pronounced changes of the digestive tract and their microflora, modifying mineral absorption and colonic morphology for which health benefits are likely to be associated. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of storage on resistant starch content and in vitro starch digestibility of some pressure‐cooked cereals and legumes commonly used in India

Resistant starch (RS) is that fraction of starch, which escapes enzymic hydrolysis in the small intestine and passes in the colon. Effect of storage time (12 and 24 h) and temperature (4 °C and 25 °C) was studied on RS content of the pressure‐cooked cereal and legume grains/seeds and their flours. RS content was observed to increase in the stored cereals and legumes, with more enhanced increase in the flour samples stored at refrigeration temperature for longer duration (41.4% in wheat flour and 85.4% in pea flour). Significant positive correlations were observed between RS content (4 °C, 24 h) and amylose (y = 0.388 × –5.948, r = 0.840, P ≤ 0.05, n = 7) as well as between % increase in insoluble dietary fibre content (4 °⁰C, 24 h) and amylose (y = 2.257 × –27.724, r = 0.971, P ≤ 0.05, n = 7). Reduced in vitro starch digestibility of the cooked/stored samples (4 °C, 24 h) was observed when compared to freshly cooked samples.     

Effect of natural fermentation on phytate and polyphenolic content and in-vitro digestibility of starch and protein of pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoideum)

Natural fermentation at 20, 25 and 30°C for 72 h brought about a significant reduction in phytic acid content of pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoideum Rich) flour. The phytate content was almost eliminted in the flour fermented at 30°C. An increase in polyphenol content of fermented flour was noticed, the higher the temperature of fermentation the greater was the increase in polyphenol content of pearl millet. An improvement in starch as well as protein digestibility (in vitro) was noticed at all the temperatures of natural fermentation, the highest being at 30°C.     

Short communication: Influence of various proteolytic sources during fermentation of reconstituted corn grain silages

The objective of this study was to determine the contribution of corn kernel enzymes, bacteria, fungi, and fermentation end-products (main acids and ethanol) to protein solubilization during fermentation of reconstituted corn grain silage. Flint corn kernels were ground (5-mm sieve), rehydrated to 32% of moisture, and treated with no additives (control), gamma irradiation (32 kGy), gamma irradiation + fermentation end-products (1% of lactic acid, 0.3% of acetic acid, and 0.7% of ethanol, as fed), and natamycin (1% as fed). Treated grains were ensiled in nylon-polyethylene bags and stored for 90 d. Protein solubilization was calculated for each treatment and the contributions of proteolytic sources were determined. Bacterial activity was the main contributor to proteolysis (60%) followed by corn kernel enzymes (30%), whereas fungi and fermentation end-products had only minor contributions (～5% each).     

Effect of heat moisture treatment on resistant starch content among carbohydrate sources: a meta-analysis

Resistant starch (RS) can be generated through heat moisture treatment (HMT). The HMT was conducted by modifying starch using different ratio of moisture content, high temperature and heating time. A number of studies showed that the effects of HMT on RS contents in cereals, pulses, tubers and fruits were inconsistent. This study aimed to analyse the impact of HMT on RS level in various carbohydrate sources through a meta-analysis approach. Study selection was conducted with the PRISMA method. There were 21 relevant studies and 67 data used for meta-analysis. The database was analysed by using Hedges’ d. The results showed that there was a significant impact of HMT on RS level of cereals, especially wheat. The highest increase in RS levels for various carbohydrate sources in starch was influenced by the interaction of treatment between water content at 15 ≤ x < 25%, heating time at 0.25 < x ≤ 6 h and temperature at 120 ≤ x ≤ 130 °C.     

直链淀粉含量对大鼠肠道发酵产物的影响

目的:研究了不同直链淀粉含量的玉米淀粉对大鼠肠道发酵产物的影响.方法:将42只Wistar成年雌鼠随机分为7组,分别饲喂直链淀粉(AS)含量为0%、26.8%、53.8%、61.6%、75.7%、78.9%、85.8%的玉米淀粉饲料.喂养3周后解剖,测定各组体重、饲料效率及淀粉消化率、小肠内容物、盲肠内容物、盲肠组织重量以及盲肠中短链脂肪酸(SCFA)等指标.结果:61.6%AS、75.7%AS、78.9%AS和85.8%AS饲料组的淀粉表观消化率明显低于0%AS和26.8%AS饲料组.与0%AS和26.8%AS相比,高直链淀粉显著地增加了小肠内容物、盲肠内容物干重,75.7%AS组的盲肠内容物干重最高.高直链淀粉组盲肠中乙酸、丙酸和总SCFA的总量显著高于0%AS和26.8%AS组,53.8%AS组丙酸产量最高,61.6%AS组有最高丁酸和总SCFA产量,而75.7%AS有最高的乙酸、乳酸和琥珀酸产量,在高直链玉米淀粉中,78.9%AS组SCFA产量最低.结论:增加玉米淀粉中直链淀粉含量能明显降低淀粉的消化性,增加大鼠肠道中未消化残渣的量和盲肠中SCFA产量,但这种效果与直链淀粉的含量并没有明显的相关性.     

抗性淀粉的体外产酸发酵研究

分别采用健康成人和健康婴儿的新鲜粪便提取液,在模拟大肠环境下(厌氧,37℃),作用于不同含量的抗性淀粉,发酵不同时间,采用气相色谱法测定不同发酵时间的发酵产物中短链脂肪酸的含量。分析结果表明,对于2种不同的粪便提取液,随着发酵时间的延长和抗性淀粉含量的增加,发酵产物中短链脂肪酸的总含量均逐渐增加,特别是丁酸含量增加显著;但在婴儿粪便提取液的发酵产物中,短链脂肪酸的含量,尤其是丁酸的含量,显著高于成人粪便提取液的发酵产物。     

Effects of calcium salts differing in fatty acid composition on duodenal and milk fatty acid profiles in dairy cows

Ruminal biohydrogenation of fatty acids (FA) was studied in vivo in relation with the fermentation pattern in the rumen and milk secretion. Calcium salts (Ca salts) of palm oil (diet 1) or rapeseed oil (diet 2) were given to dairy cows (about 650 g day^?1) in a diet based on maize silage. Significant variation in propionate concentration was observed among diets. Rumen pH and total volatile fatty acids (VFA) did not change. Duodenal FA pattern was analysed throughout the day. With diets 1 and 2, linoleic acid was to a large extent biohydrogenated: calculations of ruminal biohydrogenation were equal to 63.6 and 74.0% for diets 1 and 2, respectively. No difference between diets was observed in milk production, fat and protein percentages. The percentages of stearic and octadecenoic FA in milk were higher and the percentage of palmitic acid was lower with Ca salts of rapeseed oil FA than with Ca salts of palm oil FA.     

多不饱和脂肪酸对大鼠大脑细胞膜脂肪酸组成的影响

研究多不饱和脂肪酸(PUFAs)对发育期大鼠大脑细胞膜脂肪酸类别与含量的变化。将56只初断乳雄性SD大鼠随机分为阴性组、必需脂肪酸(EFA)缺乏组、鱼油组[300mg/(kg·d)]、紫苏组[2.45mL/(kg·d)]、α-亚油酸组[1.32g/(kg·d)]、核桃组[2.45mL/(kg·d)]与红花组[1.65g/(kg·d)]。连续饲养8周,提取大脑组织总细胞膜,并使用气相色谱-质谱联用技术检测其脂肪酸的种类与含量。结果表明,各组大鼠脂肪酸组成无差别;与阴性组比较,各组均能显著提高n-3PUFAs的含量;紫苏组、核桃组和红花组能显著降低n-6PUFAs的含量,增加饱和脂肪酸的含量;紫苏组、核桃组、红花组和鱼油组能显著降低单不饱和脂肪酸的含量。说明PUFAs能改变大鼠大脑细胞膜的含量,但对其类别影响不大;短期缺乏EFA对细胞膜脂肪酸的类别与含量无影响。     

Resistant starch prepared from high-amylose maize starch with citric acid hydrolysis and its simulated fermentation in vitro

Resistant starch (RS) was prepared from high-amylose maize starch through two autoclaving–cooling cycles and then acid hydrolysis of retrograded starch. Experimental results showed that hydrolysis of retrograded high-amylose maize starch with 0.1 mol L⁻¹ citric acid at room temperature for 12 h would increase RS yield to 39%. At simulated conditions of large intestine (anaerobic and 37 °C), the prepared RS product was fermented in culture by fresh feces extract from healthy adult or healthy infant to produce short chain fatty acids. Formic, acetic, propionic and butyric acid produced in culture were analyzed by GC with capillary column. The GC analysis results showed that as the increase of fermentation time and the addition level of RS in culture, the production of short chain fatty acids was increased. However, the production of short chain fatty acids (especially butyric acid) in culture fermented by healthy infant feces extract was much higher than that fermented by healthy adult feces extract. It suggested that the production of short chain fatty acids from RS in simulated intestinal conditions might be affected by the intestinal microflora.     

Microstructures of starch granule,starch digestibilities and predicted glycaemic index of common bean mutants in Taiwan

In this study, the microstructure of starch granule and in vitro starch digestibility were compared in de‐coated seeds of common bean variety Hwachia and its NaN₃‐induced mutants. Significant differences in starch granule size (between 17.92 and 27.00 μm), total starch content (between 436.5 and 456.8 mg per seed) and resistant starch content (between 51.6 and 203.3 mg per seed) were found among mutants. Both boiling and autoclaving decreased resistant starch content in processed common beans. Significant difference in predicted gylcaemic index (pGI) (between 48.82 and 64.55%) for processed beans also existed among mutants. However, 96 h of 4 °C storage increased resistant starch content in processed common beans, possibly resulted from starch retrogradation during storage. Mutants SA‐05, SA‐08 and SA‐31, which have smaller seed weight and lower pGI (average of 50.08%) compared to Hwachia (pGI of 57.05%), can be used to produce common bean based low GI dietary carbohydrate.