Abstract

Title

Assessment of Prebiotic Potential of Beta-Glucans and Fatty Acids to Promote Diversity of Obese and Diabetic Human Gut Microbiota in Vitro

Type
Poster Presentation
Theme
Probiotics and Prebiotics: Excellence in Science and Clinical Translation
Topic
Development of Probiotic and Prebiotic Foods, Medical Foods, Supplements and Drugs

Authors

Main Author
Conall R Strain1 2
Presenting Author
Conall R Strain1 2
Co-Author
Ronan G Strain1 2
Tam Tran2
Eibhlís M O’Connor4
Paul W O’Toole2 3
R Paul Ross1 2 3
Catherine Stanton1 2

Authors' Institution

Department / Institution / Country
Food Biosciences / Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark / Ireland1
APC Microbiome Institute / University College Cork / Ireland2
School of Microbiology / University College Cork / Ireland3
Department of Life Sciences / University of Limerick / Ireland4
Content
Background and Rationale
Obesity is a global health concern and increases the risk of a number of inflammatory associated diseases including type 2 diabetes. Accumulating evidence suggests that the gut microbiota plays a major role in the progression of such diseases through a number of mechanisms. Gut microbiota diversity can modulate immune function and inflammation, and loss of diversity has been observed in type 2 diabetic patients. Specific food ingredients, such as prebiotics, can promote gut microbiota diversity and offer a tool for promoting health and well-being.
Objectives: Indicates the purpose of the study
The aims of this study were to identify potential prebiotics, novel dietary fibres and fatty acids, that can promote gut microbiota diversity in obese and diabetic patients.
Methodology: Describe pertinent experimental procedures
Obese patients were recruited, separated into three groups (obese non-diabetic, obese pre-diabetic and obese diabetic) based on fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels, and faecal material was collected from the patients. In vitro faecal fermentation experiments were carried out using an anaerobic, pH controlled 24 vessel fermentation system (MicroMatrix) to assess the prebiotic potential of beta-glucans isolated from different food sources in combination and alone with the fatty acids, palmitic, oleic acid and fish oil to promote diversity using microbiota from the three cohorts. Microbiota composition and diversity were assessed by 16S rDNA next generation sequencing (Miseq). Effects on the metabolic activity were assessed by measuring SCFA concentrations by GC-FID.
Results: Summarize the results of the research
Beta-glucans increased alpha diversity (Shannon & Simpson indices) and SCFA production, while dietary fatty acids induced significant changes in the beta diversity (Weighted UNIFRAC, Bray-Curtis) in obese human faecal bacterial populations.
Conclusions: State the main conclusions
The results from this study show that both dietary fibres and fatty acids and lipids can modulate the composition and metabolic activity of the gut microbiota and highlight their potential as novel prebiotics to combat T2D.
Keywords: Prebiotics; Gut Microbiome; Dietary fibre; Fatty acids; Functional foods
Requires Audio or Video system for Presentation?: No