Dietary fiber type reflects physiological functionality: comparison of grain fiber, inulin, and polydextrose

The alleviation by wheat and oat dietary fiber alone or combined of T2DM symptoms in db/db mice

The effects of wheat and oat dietary fiber (DF) alone or combined on T2DM remain unclear. In this research, db/db diabetic mice were fed with diets containing 10% insoluble wheat dietary fiber (WDF), 10% insoluble oat dietary fiber (ODF), and 10% WODF (mixture of WDF and ODF, WDF : ODF = 1 : 1) for 8 weeks. The results showed that WDF, ODF, and WODF all reduced the body weight and fasting blood glucose (FBG) and improved oral glucose tolerance in db/db mice. WDF and ODF alone further relieved insulin resistance and decreased the levels of glycated hemoglobin A1c (GHbA1c), and glycosylated serum protein (GSP). In addition, WDF and ODF alone decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in serum. The colon function was improved and similar changes were observed in the gut microbiota structure and abundance in all the DF groups. The change of gut microbiota mainly manifested as reducing F/B ratio at the phylum level, while at the genus level as decreasing Enterococcus, Escherichia-Shigella, Erysipelatoclostridium, and unclassified_f_Lachnospiraceae and increase of norank_f_Muribaculaceae, Bacteroides, and Alistipes. Further testing of colonic bile acids (BAs) revealed that WDF, ODF, and WODF all significantly changed the composition of BAs, mainly reducing the levels of UDCA, HDCA, and 3β-UDCA. WODF further decreased DCA and increased β-MCA, LCA-3S, and 12-KCDCA. Importantly, WODF reduced the values of 12-OH-BAs/non-12-OH-BAs. Moreover, the TGR5 level was up-regulated in both the liver and colon, and the FXR level was up-regulated in the liver while down-regulated in the colon in all the DF groups. Furthermore, for the protein level, IRS-1, p-PI3K/PI3K, and AKT were up-regulated in the liver in all the DF groups, while for the mRNA expression level, GLUT4 was up-regulated, and FOXO1, GSK3β, PEPCK, and PGC-1α were down-regulated. WDF and WODF further up-regulated the mRNA expression levels of GYS and down-regulated that of G6Pase. These results suggested that WDF, ODF, and WODF all can alleviate T2DM through the gutmicrobiota-BAs-TGR5/FXR axis and liver IRS-1/PI3K/AKT pathway in db/db mice. WDF and ODF alone are beneficial for improving glucose metabolism and inflammation indicators, while WODF helps improve BAs' profile more in the colon.

Soluble fibres modulate dough rheology and gluten structure via hydrogen bond density and Flory-Huggins water interaction parameter

Soluble fibres are gaining increasing interest for functional food applications like bread, but their interaction with gluten and effects on dough rheology are not fully elucidated. This study hypothesized that soluble fibres influence gluten structure and dough rheology by acting as plasticizers and humectants. Plasticizing properties depend on the effective number of hydrogen bonding sites available in the fibre molecule (N OH,s ). Humectant properties are related to the water interaction parameter derived from analysis of the sorption behaviour. Oligo-fructoses, inulins, polydextrose and a glucose syrup were added individually and in mixtures to wheat dough to test the hypothesis. PCA and multi-linear regressions showed that the G' from temperature sweeps increased with an increase in the effective volume fraction of hydrogen bonding sites (Φ w , e f f ) in the solvent and in the water interaction parameter (χ eff ). The enhanced G' corresponded to a reduction in tan(δ), indicating an increased elastic behaviour. The parametersΦ w , e f f and χ eff also explained the changes in phase transitions during heating, i.e. Tonset and Tpeak of starch gelatinization (R2 > 0.9). Image analysis of the gluten network revealed that fibre structure and physico-chemical properties influenced the gluten network by altering branching rate, lacunarity, and protein strand width. Comparing inulins and polydextrose of similar molecular weights (Mw) indicated that interactions with gluten were influenced more by N OH,s than Mw. High Mw inulins, with a linear structure, promoted junctions in the gluten network through hydrogen bonds, and possibly phase separation in gluten-rich and inulin-rich phases. In contrast, the more hydrophilic, branched polydextrose reduced junction formation in the gluten network due to fewer N OH,s . This study provides new insights into the physico-chemical properties of soluble fibres and their role in wheat dough functionality.

Dietary Fiber-Rich Spartina anglica Improves Intestinal Health and Antioxidant Capacity of Zhedong White Geese

Spartina anglica (SA), a plant rich in dietary fiber, has demonstrated considerable potential for enhancing gut health and antioxidant capacity in animals. This study investigates the integration of SA as a novel dietary ingredient for Zhedong white geese, with a specific focus on evaluating its effects on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant capacity, intestinal health, and cecal microbiota composition. A total of 360 1-day-old Zhedong white geese with an average weight of 114.94 ± 0.81 g were randomly allocated to 4 dietary treatments, with 6 replicates per treatment and 15 geese per pen. The 4 dietary treatments included different SA supplement levels: a control group receiving a basal diet (CON), and three experimental groups supplemented with 3% SA (SA3), 6% SA (SA6), and 12% SA (SA12). Supplementation with 6% SA significantly enhanced the final body weight, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to the CON group (p < 0.05). In contrast, the SA12 group exhibited reduced digestibility of crude protein and ether extract, relative to the SA3 and SA6 groups (p < 0.05). The highest antioxidant capacity was observed in the SA6 and SA12 groups, while the lowest was recorded in the CON group. SA supplementation did not significantly influence serum biochemical parameters or organ indices but increased cecum length (p < 0.05). Notably, SA supplementation markedly improved intestinal morphology, although excessive levels appeared to compromise these benefits. Additionally, SA supplementation significantly enhanced the richness and diversity of cecal microbiota and increased short-chain fatty acid concentrations. In conclusion, SA at an optimal supplementation level of 6% may be effectively utilized in Zhedong white geese diets to improve growth performance, gut health, and antioxidant capacity.

Influence of Harvesting Stage on Phytochemical Composition, Antioxidant, and Antidiabetic Activity of Immature Ceratonia siliqua L. Pulp from Béni Mellal-Khénifra Region, Morocco: In Silico, In Vitro, and In Vivo Approaches

Ceratonia siliqua L. is a medicinal plant that has long been used in traditional Moroccan medicine to treat many diseases. This study aimed to assess the impact of the stages of the immature phase of carob pulp (M1, M2, M3, M4, and M5) on phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, and antidiabetic activity of Ceratonia siliqua L. The identification of the phenolic profile by HPLC-UV/MS-MS and the study of the antidiabetic effect by in silico, in vitro, and in vivo studies were carried out for extracts with high contents of phenolic compounds from immature wild carob pulp from the communes of Timoulit (TM), Bin Elouidane (AW), and Ouaouizerth (TG) in the province of Azilal in the Béni Mellal-Khénifra region. The results revealed a gradual increase in total sugar content over the pulp's ripening period, reaching a value of 2134 ± 56.23 mg GE/100 g fresh weight (FW) for TG. The three locations showed peak values for total polyphenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total condensed tannin (TCT) at the M2 stage. AW had the highest concentrations of TPC (3819 ± 226.4 mg GAE/100 g FM), TFC (1034 ± 57.08 mg QE/100 g FM), and TCT (1472 ± 28.46 mg CE/100 g FM). The DPPH assay (7892 ± 296.1 mg TE/100 g FM) and the FRAP assay (278.2 ± 7.85 mg TE/100 g FM) both demonstrated that the TG zone is a highly potent antioxidant zone. In contrast, the AW site exhibited a markedly elevated value of 725.4 ± 103.6 mg TE/100 g FM in the ABTS assay. HPLC-UV-MS/MS analysis showed that the methanolic extracts of immature carob pulp (MEICP) from the three areas contained several different chemical compounds. The most prevalent were 3-O-p-coumaroyl-5-O-caffeoylquinic acid, quercetin 3-methyl ether, gallic acid, and galloylquinic acid. Immature carob pulp extract (ICPE) from AW showed the strongest in vitro inhibition of pancreatic α-amylase (IC50 = 0.405 µg/mL) and TG extracts were most potent against intestinal α-glucosidase (IC50 = 0.063 µg/mL). In vivo, AW, TG, and TM extracts significantly reduced postprandial glycemia in rats, with AW having the greatest effect. These results highlight the antidiabetic potential of ICPE. The 3-O-p-Coumaroyl-5-O-caffeoylquinic acid showed better affinity for α-amylase compared to acarbose and interacted significantly with several amino acid residues of the enzyme. Similarly, this molecule and 3,4-Dicaffeoylquinic acid demonstrated a strong affinity for α-glucosidase, suggesting their potential as natural inhibitors of enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism. Most of the compounds are not substrates of P-glycoprotein and exhibited high intestinal absorption. Furthermore, the majority of these compounds did not act as inhibitors or substrates of CYP450 enzymes, reinforcing their suitability for development as oral medications. These results underscore the potential of immature carob pulp as a promising antidiabetic agent.

Exploring the Nutritional Impact of Sourdough Fermentation: Its Mechanisms and Functional Potential

Sourdough fermentation is one of the oldest traditional methods in food technology and occurs as a result of fermentation of flour prepared from grains. The nutritional role of sourdough is related to the final composition of fermented foods prepared through sourdough fermentation, and recently, sourdough has become an important application to improve nutrition characteristics of bread. Thanks to lactic acid bacteria (LAB) presented in sourdough microflora and metabolites partially produced by yeasts, technological and important nutritional features of the bread improve and an increase in shelf life is achieved. In addition, sourdough bread has a low glycemic index value, high protein digestibility, high mineral and antioxidant content, and improved dietary fiber composition, making it more attractive for human nutrition compared to regular bread. When the sourdough process is applied, the chemical and physical properties of fibers vary according to the degree of fermentation, revealing the physiological importance of dietary fiber and its importance to humans' large intestine microbiota. Therefore, taking these approach frameworks into consideration, this review highlights the benefits of sourdough fermentation in increasing nutrient availability and contributing positively to support human health.

Matcha Green Tea: Chemical Composition, Phenolic Acids, Caffeine and Fatty Acid Profile

Matcha-Japanese powdered tea-is a variety of green tea (Camellia sinensis L.), one of the most popular beverages in the world. Due to the unique way it is grown, it contains high concentrations of health-promoting phytochemicals. The aim of this study was to determine the basic nutritional and phenolic composition of dry matcha green tea powder. The fibre content was determined according to the enzymatic-gravimetric method. Crude protein was measured by the Kjeldahl method. The total fat content was measured by the Soxhlet method, and the fatty acid profile was defined by the GC method. The determination of the phenolic acid and caffeine content was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography. The total fibre content of matcha was 56.1 g/100 g, with 52.8 g/100 g (94.1% of total fibre) of insoluble dietary fibre and 3.3 g/100 g of soluble fibre (5.9% of total fibre). The total protein content was 17.3 g/100 g. The total fat content in dry matcha was 7.285 g/100 g, comprising varying proportions of individual fatty acids, the highest ones being those of linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid. The caffeine content of matcha tea was 2213.492 µg/g. With regard to phenolic acids, the highest content was estimated for gallic acid (252.3755 µg/g). Matcha showed a particularly high content of total dietary fibre, with a predominance of the insoluble fraction. Matcha was found to be a valuable source of plant protein and unsaturated fatty acids, mostly of the omega-3 fatty acid family.

Efficacy of Butyrate to Inhibit Colonic Cancer Cell Growth Is Cell Type-Specific and Apoptosis-Dependent

Increasing dietary fiber consumption is linked to lower colon cancer incidence, and this anticancer effect is tied to elevated levels of short-chain fatty acids (e.g., butyrate) because of the fermentation of fiber by colonic bacteria. While butyrate inhibits cancer cell proliferation, the impact on cancer cell type remains largely unknown. To test the hypothesis that butyrate displays different inhibitory potentials due to cancer cell type, we determined half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of butyrate in HCT116, HT-29, and Caco-2 human colon cancer cell proliferation at 24, 48, and 72 h. The IC50 (mM) butyrate concentrations of HCT116, HT-29, and Caco-2 cells were [24 h, 1.14; 48 h, 0.83; 72 h, 0.86], [24 h, N/D; 48 h, 2.42; 72 h, 2.15], and [24 h, N/D; 48 h, N/D; 72 h, 2.15], respectively. At the molecular level, phosphorylated ERK1/2 and c-Myc survival signals were decreased by (>30%) in HCT116, HT-29, and Caco-2 cells treated with 4 mM butyrate. Conversely, butyrate displayed a stronger potential (>1-fold) for inducing apoptosis and nuclear p21 tumor suppressor in HCT116 cells compared to HT-29 and Caco-2 cells. Moreover, survival analysis demonstrated that a cohort with high p21 gene expression in their colon tissue significantly increased survival time compared to a low-p21-expression cohort of colon cancer patients. Collectively, the inhibitory efficacy of butyrate is cell type-specific and apoptosis-dependent.

Inulin-based formulations as an emerging therapeutic strategy for cancer: A comprehensive review

Cancer stands as the second leading cause of death in the United States (US). Most chemotherapeutic agents exhibit severe adverse effects that are attributed to exposure of drugs to off-target tissues, posing a significant challenge in cancer therapy management. In recent years, inulin, a naturally occurring prebiotic fiber has gained substantial attention for its potential in cancer treatment owing to its multitudinous health values. Its distinctive structure, stability, and nutritional properties position it as an effective adjuvant and carrier for drug delivery in cancer therapy. To address some of the above unmet clinical issues, this review summarizes the recent efforts towards the development of inulin-based nanomaterials and nanocomposites for healthcare applications with special emphasis on the multifunctional role of inulin in cancer therapy as a synergist, signaling molecule, immunomodulatory and anticarcinogenic molecule. Furthermore, the review provides a concise overview of ongoing clinical trials and observational studies associated with inulin-based therapy. In conclusion, the current review offers insights on the significant role of inulin interventions in exploring its potential as a therapeutic agent to treat cancer.

Effect of crude fibre additives ARBOCEL and VITACEL on the physicochemical properties of granulated feed mixtures for broiler chickens

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to evaluate the physicochemical properties (nutrient composition, pH, water content and activity, sorption properties) and mechanical properties (compression force and energy) of granulated feed mixtures with various inclusion levels of crude fibre concentrates ARBOCEL and VITACEL for broiler chickens, i.e. +0.0% (control group - group C), +0.3%, +0.8%, +1.0%, +1.2%.

METHODS

The feed mixtures were analyzed for their physicochemical properties (nutrient composition by near-infrared spectroscopy, pH with the use a CP-401 pH meter with an IJ-44C glass electrode, water content was determined with the drying method and activity was determined with the Aqua Lab Series 3, sorption properties was determined with the static method) and mechanical properties (compression force and energy with the use TAHD plus texture analyzer). The Guggenheim-Anderson-de Boer (GAB) model applied in the study correctly described the sorption properties of the analyzed feed mixtures in terms of water activity.

RESULTS

The fibre concentrate type affected the specific surface area of the adsorbent and equilibrium water content in the GAB monolayer (p≤0.05) (significantly statistical). The type and dose of the fibre concentrate influenced the dimensionless C and k parameters of the GAB model related to the properties of the monolayer and multilayers, respectively (p≤0.05). They also affected the pH value of the analyzed feed mixtures (p≤0.05). In addition, crude fibre type influenced water activity (p≤0.05) as well as compression energy (J) and compression force (N) (p≤0.001) (highly significantly statistical) of the feed mixtures.

CONCLUSION

The physicochemical analyses of feed mixtures with various inclusion levels (0.3%, 0.8%, 1.0%, 1.2%) of crude fiber concentrates ARBOCEL or VITACEL demonstrated that both crude fiber types may be used in the feed industry as a feedstuff material to produce starter type mixtures for broiler chickens.

Influence of Sex and a High-Fiber Diet on the Gut Microbiome of Alentejano Pigs Raised to Heavy Weights

This study investigates the influence of sex and a dietary transition on the gut microbiota of a local Portuguese pig breed. Three groups of male Alentejano pigs (n = 10 each) were raised between ~40 and 160 kg LW. Group C included pigs that were surgically castrated, while the I group included intact ones; both were fed with commercial diets. The third group, IExp, included intact pigs that were fed commercial diets until ~130 kg, then replaced by an experimental diet based on legumes and agro-industrial by-products between ~130 and 160 kg. Fecal samples were collected two weeks before slaughter. The total DNA was extracted and used for 16S metabarcoding on a MiSeq® System. The dietary transition from a commercial diet to the experimental diet substantially increased and shifted the diversity observed. Complex carbohydrate fermenting bacteria, such as Ruminococcus spp. and Sphaerochaeta spp., were significantly more abundant in IExp (q < 0.05). On the other hand, castrated pigs presented a significantly lower abundance of the potential probiotic, Roseburia spp. and Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group (q < 0.01), bacteria commonly associated with better gut health and lower body fat composition. Understanding the role of gut microbiota is paramount to ensure a low skatole deposition and consumers' acceptance of pork products from non-castrated male pigs.

Effect of dietary modulation of fiber and fat level on liver and kidney functions, lipid profile, antioxidant and immune parameters in growing Egyptian geese

Determining the optimal requirements from dietary fiber and fat for Egyptian geese is a matter of great concern regarding health, production and growth. Therefore, the current study estimated the effects of different dietary fiber and fat levels on functions of liver and kidney, lipid profile, immunity and antioxidant measurements of the growing Egyptian geese. 150 Egyptian goslings (4 weeks old), with almost the same body weights were randomly allocated into 6 groups (25 goslings/group). All groups were subdivided into five replicates, each replicate contains five geese. Liver and kidney functions, immunity and antioxidant parameters were not significantly affected the different studied levels of fiber and fat or by their interaction. Various levels of fiber significantly affected total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol and VLDL-cholesterol in a concentration-dependent manner and the lowest the lipid profile values were obtained at 12%. In conclusion, the present findings show that use of dietary fiber up to 12% and 5% dietary fat showed no detrimental effects on the immune status and general health of geese and resulted in the preferable lipid profile. This experiment provides a base for further study about the optimal requirements from dietary fiber and fat for the growing Egyptian geese.

Effect of Processing Methods on Antinutritional Factors (Oxalate, Phytate, and Tannin) and Their Interaction with Minerals (Calcium, Iron, and Zinc) in Red, White, and Black Kidney Beans

The purpose of this study was to assess how different processing techniques affected mineral compositions, antinutritional factors, and their interactions in red, white, and black kidney beans consumed in Ethiopia. Mineral contents were found to be 41-44, 58-78, and 112-126 mg Ca/100 g in the raw, soaked, and cooked samples, respectively. Iron content in the raw, soaked and cooked samples were found to be 2.77-2.97, 1.94-2.20 and 2.87-3.28 mg Fe/100 g, respectively, showing 26-30% loss on soaking followed by 33-48% increase on cooking. While Zn content in the raw, soaked and cooked samples were found to be 2.47-3.26, 3.34-4.68 and 2.83-3.31 mg Zn/100 g, respectively, showing 35-43% increase on soaking followed by 15-29% decrease on cooking. In the case of antinutrients, both treatments showed incredible decrements. Phytate in the raw samples was 178-179 mg/100 g and showed a 12-16% decrement on soaking and a 37-38% decrement up on cooking, oxalate was 1.5-1.8 mg/100 g in the raw samples and showed a 4.4-13% decrement during treatments, and tannin in the raw samples was 102-160 mg/100 g and showed a 23-30% decrement on soaking, followed by 21-41% during cooking. Phytate : Ca and oxalate : Ca molar ratios in soaked and cooked samples were within the critical values in the raw samples. In contrast, phytate : Zn and Ca × phytate : Zn in all treatments were found to be within the critical value, confirming the good bioavailability of zinc in all the samples, while phytate : Fe was found over the critical value, showing its poor availability.

Genome-Wide Datasets of Chicories (Cichorium intybus L.) for Marker-Assisted Crop Breeding Applications: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Cichorium intybus L. is the most economically important species of its genus and among the most important of the Asteraceae family. In chicory, many linkage maps have been produced, several sets of mapped and unmapped markers have been developed, and dozens of genes linked to traits of agronomic interest have been investigated. This treasure trove of information, properly cataloged and organized, is of pivotal importance for the development of superior commercial products with valuable agronomic potential in terms of yield and quality, including reduced bitter taste and increased inulin production, as well as resistance or tolerance to pathogens and resilience to environmental stresses. For this reason, a systematic review was conducted based on the scientific literature published in chicory during 1980-2023. Based on the results obtained from the meta-analysis, we created two consensus maps capable of supporting marker-assisted breeding (MAB) and marker-assisted selection (MAS) programs. By taking advantage of the recently released genome of C. intybus, we built a 639 molecular marker-based consensus map collecting all the available mapped and unmapped SNP and SSR loci available for this species. In the following section, after summarizing and discussing all the genes investigated in chicory and related to traits of interest such as reproductive barriers, sesquiterpene lactone biosynthesis, inulin metabolism and stress response, we produced a second map encompassing 64 loci that could be useful for MAS purposes. With the advent of omics technologies, molecular data chaos (namely, the situation where the amount of molecular data is so complex and unmanageable that their use becomes challenging) is becoming far from a negligible issue. In this review, we have therefore tried to contribute by standardizing and organizing the molecular data produced thus far in chicory to facilitate the work of breeders.

Outdoor Finishing of Intact Male Portuguese Alentejano Pigs on a Sustainable High-Fiber Diet: Impacts on Blood, Growth, Carcass, Meat Quality and Boar Taint Compounds

This trial evaluated the effect of sex on the blood, growth, carcass, meat quality, and boar taint compounds in male Alentejano (AL) pigs (n = 30). From ~40 to 130 kg LW, castrated (C) and intact pigs (I and IExp groups) were fed commercial diets ad libitum. Between ~130 and 160 kg (slaughter), C and I pigs continued on commercial diets, while IExp were fed an experimental diet containing locally produced pulses and by-products aimed at reducing boar taint. At ~160 kg, blood urea levels were higher in IExp than C pigs, triacylglycerols were lower in both intact groups, and cortisol was lower in IExp. IExp pigs exhibited faster growth, improved feed conversion ratio, carcass higher commercial yield and leaner meat than C pigs. The loin intramuscular fat in intact pigs was lower, less saturated and more polyunsaturated, while total collagen was higher. Fat androstenone content was higher in intact pigs and skatole content was similar across treatments, although they were below threshold values for consumer detection. Finally, although boar taint compounds were low in intact AL pigs raised outdoors, adding pulses and by-products to the experimental diet did not result in a reduction in fat skatole content compared to pigs fed the commercial diet.

Diet Composition and Using Probiotics or Symbiotics Can Modify the Urinary and Faecal Nitrogen Ratio of Broiler Chicken's Excreta and Also the Dynamics of In Vitro Ammonia Emission

The objective of this research was to determine whether diet composition, or adding probiotic or symbiotic feed additives to broiler diets can modify the N composition of the excreta and the dynamics of ammonia volatilization from the manure. A total of 574 one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens were fed four different diets. The treatments included a corn and soybean meal-based control diets (C), wheat-based and wheat bran containing diets (W), a multi-strain probiotic treatment (Broilact^®; Br), and a symbiotic additive containing Bacillus subtilis, inulin, and Saccharomices cerevisiae (Sy). Feeding the wheat-based diet significantly improved the weight gain and FCR of chickens. Treatment W also significantly increased the dry matter content of the excreta compared with the probiotic and symbiotic treatments. Both Br and Sy tended to decrease the amount of excreted uric acid, which is the main substrate of ammonia. Treatment Sy reduced the urinary N ratio of the excreta in comparison with treatment W. The symbiotic additive resulted in significantly higher ammonia emission in the first two hours. On the other hand, the dynamics of the emission was slow at the beginning and increased steeply after 15 h when the wheat-based diets were fed. Based on our results, the wheat-based diets, containing soluble arabinoxylans, and the symbiotic treatments of broiler diets have an impact on the urinary and faecal nitrogen composition of the excreta, and also on the dynamics of ammonia release from the manure.

Organoleptic, hypoglycaemic, and in vitro starch digestion effects of formulated Melon Manis Terengganu peel powder

Melon Manis Terengganu (MMT) is comprised of 28 - 30% peel which is a by-product of food processing. The peel is a source of dietary fibre which has a potential role in glycaemic response. The present work thus aimed to develop formulated MMT peel powder, and examine its organoleptic properties, in vitro hypoglycaemic effect, and starch digestibility. The MMT peel powder was formulated as Formulations 0, 1, 2, and 3 with different sweetener ratios (0, 40, 50, and 60%), and subjected to sensory evaluations. Tukey’s post-hoc test was used to evaluate significant differences between mean values following one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Meanwhile, the Friedman test followed by Wilcoxon signed ranks test were performed for sensory evaluation analysis. Results demonstrated that the most acceptable formulation for consumption assessed using sensory evaluation was Formulation 3; its total, digestible, and resistant starch content were the lowest among all the formulations. The same went to the hydrolysis index and estimated glycaemic index. However, Formulation 3 was the least effective in reducing glycaemic response due to the weakest in vitro hypoglycaemic activity. On the other hand, the mentioned attributes previously were observed in Formulation 0 in an opposite manner. In summary, these findings suggested that formulated MMT peel powder had the potential to be used in blood glucose control.

Gut microbiota and obesity: New insights

Obesity is a pathology whose incidence is increasing throughout the world. There are many pathologies associated with obesity. In recent years, the influence of the microbiota on both health and pathological states has been known. There is growing information related to changes in the microbiome and obesity, as well as its associated pathologies. Changes associated with age, exercise, and weight changes have been described. In addition, metabolic changes associated with the microbiota, bariatric surgery, and fecal matter transplantation are described. In this review, we summarize the biology and physiology of microbiota in obese patients, its role in the pathophysiology of several disorders associated, and the emerging therapeutic applications of prebiotics, probiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation.

Impacts of Pretreatment Techniques on the Quality of Tuber Flours

Besides dietary sources of energy, roots and tuber crops can also serve as functional foods and nutraceutical ingredients to be explored in disease risk reduction and wellness. However, they are easily spoiled because of their high moisture contents and enzymatic reactions. Therefore, this review aimed at gathering information on the effects of various pretreatment methods on the quality of tuber crops before converting them into flour. Studies reported by different scholars showed that there were significant differences in physicochemical and functional properties between untreated tuber and the treated tuber samples. The review also highlighted that the chemical treatment methods, particularly sulfite treatment, could increase the lightness value of the flour. In addition, blanching could induce a decrease in protein, ash, and fat. Despite this, blanching pretreatment techniques increased moisture and carbohydrate content. Chemical treatment increases the ash content, which might be responsible for chemical diffusion into the sample. The reviewed results showed that the application of different pretreatments on tuber crops significantly improves many quality characteristics such as color, fiber content, carbohydrate, and the functional properties used for value addition during food product development in the industry. Therefore, application of pretreatment methods particularly chemical treatments could enhance nutritional value, and functional and physical properties of tuber flours.

Edible Flowers as a Source of Dietary Fibre (Total, Insoluble and Soluble) as a Potential Athlete's Dietary Supplement

Edible flowers have been gaining popularity among researchers, nutritionists and chefs all around the world. Nowadays, flowers are used to make food look and/or taste better; however, they are also a very good source of valuable nutrients (antioxidants, vitamins, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, macro and microelements). The aim of our study was to determine the content of dietary fibre and total protein in selected edible flowers; we also compared the nutritional content of petals, differentiating between the representatives of the Oleaceae and Asteraceae families, as well as herbaceous vs. woody plants. The study material consisted of petals of 12 edible flower species (Magnolia × soulangeana, Sambucus nigra L., Syringa vulgaris L. (white and violet flowers), Robinia pseudoacacia, Forsythia × intermedia, Cichorium intybus L., Bellis perennis, Tussilago farfara L., Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wiggers coll., Centaurea cyanus L., Calendula officinalis). Dietary fibre content was determined by the enzymatic-gravimetric method and ranged from 13.22 (Magnolia × soulangeana) to 62.33 (Calendula officinalis L.) g/100 g. For insoluble dietary fibre (IDF), the values ranged from 8.69 (Magnolia × soulangeana) to 57.54 (Calendula officinalis L.) g/100 g, and the content of soluble dietary fibre (SDF) was between 1.35 (Syringa vulgaris L.-white flowers) and 7.46 (Centaurea cyanus L) g/100 g. Flowers were also shown to be a good, though underappreciated, source of plant protein, with content ranging from 8.70 (Calendula officinalis L.) to 21.61 (Magnolia × soulangeana) g/100 g dry matter (Kjeldahl method). Considerable amounts of protein were found in the flowers of the olive family (Oleaceae) and woody plants, which can enrich the daily diet, especially vegan and vegetarian. Edible flowers of the Asteraceae family, especially the herbaceous representatives, contained high levels of both total dietary fibre and its insoluble fraction; therefore, they can be a rich source of these nutrients in the daily diet of athletes, which would perform a prebiotic function for gut bacteria.

Modification of Artichoke Dietary Fiber by Superfine Grinding and High-Pressure Homogenization and Its Protection against Cadmium Poisoning in Rats

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of superfine grinding (SP) and high-pressure homogenization (HPH) on the structural and physicochemical properties of artichoke dietary fiber (ADF), as well as the protective effects against cadmium poisoning in rats. The structural characteristics and physicochemical properties of ADF, HPH-ADF (ADF treated by HPH) and CM-ADF (ADF treated by SP and HPH) were determined, and cadmium chloride (CdCl2) was induced by exposing rats for 7 weeks. The amounts of creatinine and urea; the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in serum; the quantity of red blood cells, hemoglobin, white blood cells and neutrophil proportion in blood samples; and the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in liver tissue were analyzed. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to analyze the tissue structure and pathology of the liver and testis. The results showed that ADF subjected to HPH and SP-HPH exhibited increased content of soluble dietary fiber (SDF) (p < 0.05). HPH and SP-HPH treatments increased oil-holding capacity (OHC), total negative charge (TNC) and heavy metal adsorption capacity (p < 0.05). The CdCl2 intervention led to a significant increase in AST, ALT, creatinine, urea, neutrophil proportion and white blood cell count, as well as a significant decrease in GSH-Px activity, red blood cell count and hemoglobin (HGB) (p < 0.05). In rats fed with ADF, HPH-ADF and CM-ADF significantly reduced creatinine, urea amounts, ALT, AST activity in serum, leukocyte count and the neutrophil ratio in blood and increased GSH-Px activity in the liver, in addition to increasing the erythrocyte count and hemoglobin count in blood (p < 0.05). H&E staining results showed that steatosis in the liver was significantly reduced, whereas testicular tissue edema was improved. These results indicate that ADF exhibited positive activity against cadmium poisoning in rats and that CM-ADF had a better protective effect than ADF and HPH-ADF. ADF has specific potential to be used in health foods or therapeutic drugs, providing a reference for the development and utilization of artichoke waste.

A Case-Control Study Examining the Association of Fiber, Fruit, and Vegetable Intake and the Risk of Colorectal Cancer in a Palestinian Population

While there is an association between Western diets and the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC), this dietary association has remained unexplored in Palestine. The aim of this study was to examine how fiber and fruit and vegetable (FV) intakes are associated with CRC risk among Palestinian adults. We recruited 528 Palestinians between 2014 and 2016. We identified 118 patients who received CRC treatment at Augusta Victoria Hospital, East Jerusalem. We additionally identified 410 controls who consisted of community-based Palestinians without cancer. All participants completed a survey on demographics and a validated dietary intake food screener. Multivariable logistic regression models tested associations between fiber and FV intakes (categorized into quartiles) with CRC risk. After adjusting for significant covariates (age, sex, education, physical activity, smoking status, BMI, IBD, and family history of CRC), as fibers increased across increasing quartiles, the CRC risk significantly decreased (OR = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.15–0.86, p-trend = 0.02). After adjusting for age and sex, as FV intake increased, the CRC risk significantly decreased (OR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.15–0.75, p-trend = 0.009). Consumption of fiber-rich foods was inversely associated with CRC risk. Understanding this relationship among Palestinians is essential in order to develop targeted, culturally relevant strategies that may potentially alleviate the burden of CRC.

Microbiota Composition and Diversity in Weight Loss Population After the Intake of IQP-AE-103 in a Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study

The effect of the novel IQP-AE-103 (proprietary combination of dehydrated okra powder and inulin) on body weight reduction and the association with changes in microbiota composition were investigated in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. A total of seventy-two overweight or moderately obese subjects with a body mass index of ≥25 and <35 kg/m² were randomly allocated to receive IQP-AE-103 or placebo; each group received two IQP-AE-103 or placebo capsules three times daily, respectively. Body weight, body fat, waist circumference, and hip circumference were measured, and fecal samples were collected at baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention. Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing on the fecal samples, the microbiota dissimilarity, diversity, and differences in relative abundance between or within groups were analyzed. At the end of the study, body weight was significantly reduced in the IQP-AE-103 group compared with the placebo group, 5.16 ± 2.39 kg vs. 0.97 ± 2.09 kg (p < 0.001). Subjects from the IQP-AE-103 group who achieved a reduction of ≥5% of total body weight from baseline (hereafter referred to as 5% responders or IQP5) had a mean body weight reduction of 6.74 ± 1.94 kg, significantly greater than the placebo group (p < 0.001). Using Lefse and statistical analysis, subjects in the IQP-AE-103 group had a significantly lower relative abundance of Firmicutes than the placebo group (p < 0.05) after 12 weeks of intervention. The 5% responders from the IQP-AE-103 group had a remarkable 4.6-fold higher relative abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila than the placebo group (p < 0.05). As the significant differences between groups were only observed post-intervention, the overall differences in microbiota profile suggest that the weight loss in overweight and moderately obese subjects who consumed IQP-AE-103 for 12 weeks is accompanied by a positive change in microbiota composition. These changes might be linked to the beneficial effects of microbiome modulations in alleviating obesity and metabolic syndrome. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to report over-the-counter (OTC) supplementation that results in both significant changes in weight and favorable shifts on the subject microbiota profile. The trial is registered under ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier no. NCT03058367.

Dietary Soluble Non-Starch Polysaccharide Level Influences Performance, Nutrient Utilisation and Disappearance of Non-Starch Polysaccharides in Broiler Chickens

This study evaluated the effect of dietary soluble non-starch polysaccharides (sNSP) on performance and nutrient utilisation in broilers from d 0 to 35. Cobb 500 broilers (n = 480, 80 birds per treatment) were fed either wheat- or corn-soybean meal-based diets formulated to contain either a high, medium, or low sNSP content, in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement, fed as Starter (d 0−14) and Grower (d 14−35). Birds fed the low sNSP level presented greater BWG at d 0−14 and lower feed intake at d 14−35 compared to birds fed the medium sNSP level (p < 0.005). At d 14, birds fed the high sNSP level presented greater ileal and total tract starch digestibility and total tract sNSP degradability and insoluble NSP degradability, compared to feeding the low sNSP level. At d 35, total tract DM and metabolisability of gross energy was greater in birds fed the medium sNSP level compared to those fed the high or low sNSP level (p < 0.005). Generally, bird performance and nutrient utilisation was greater in birds fed the corn-based diets compared to the wheat-based diets. These results illustrate that dietary sNSP level and composition influences bird performance and nutrient digestibility.

Evolutionary Wheat Populations in High-Quality Breadmaking as a Tool to Preserve Agri-Food Biodiversity

Plant biodiversity preservation is one of the most important priorities of today’s agriculture. Wheat (Triticum spp. L.) is widely cultivated worldwide, mostly under a conventional and monovarietal farming method, leading to progressive biodiversity erosion. On the contrary, the evolutionary population (EP) cultivation technique is characterized by mixing and sowing together as many wheat genotypes as possible to allow the crop to genetically adapt over the years in relation to specific pedoclimatic conditions. The objective of this study was to assess the nutritional, chemical and sensory qualities of three different breads obtained using different organic EP flours, produced following a traditional sourdough process and compared to a commercial wheat cultivar bread. Technological parameters, B-complex vitamins, microelements, dietary fibre and phenolic acids were determined in raw materials and final products. Flours obtained by EPs showed similar characteristics to the commercial wheat cultivar flour. However, significant differences on grain technological quality were found. The breads were comparable with respect to chemical and nutritional qualities. Overall, the sensory panellists rated the tasted breads positively assigning the highest score to those produced with EPs flours (6.75–7.02) as compared to commercial wheat cultivar-produced bread (cv. Bologna, 6.36).

Assessment of the prebiotic potential of seed coats from green gram (Vigna radiata) and black gram (Vigna mungo)

Prebiotics are non-digestible food ingredients which beneficially affect the host by selectively stimulating the growth and/or activity of intestinal bacteria. In the present work, an attempt is made to show the in-vitro prebiotic ability of husks of the pulses, Green Gram (Vigna radiata) and Black Gram (Vigna mungo), using the known standard probiotic strains: Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 8014 and Pediococcus acidilactici ATCC 8042. The husks are found to be resistant to in-vitro gastrointestinal digestion, and thus contain non-digestible constituents, and support the growth of beneficial microorganisms commonly present in the gastrointestinal tract. Pediococcus sp. showed growth up to 80% relative to inulin for the husks. The study also demonstrates the antioxidant activity of husks that can be an additional health benefit. Thus, the husks could be considered as potential prebiotic candidates. This work is the foremost of its kind to demonstrate the prebiotic activities of Green Gram and Black Gram husks.

Effects of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) supplementation in the diet on the growth, small intestinal histomorphology, and digestibility of hybrid ducks

Background and Aim:

Feed plays the most important role in supporting livestock productivity. There is a need for studies on the nutrient levels in feed absorbed by the body of livestock. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) supplementation in feed on growth, small intestinal histomorphology, and digestibility in hybrid ducks.

Materials and Methods:

The study was conducted in vivo using 75 hybrid ducks, with three treatments and five replications. Each replication consisted of five ducks. The treatments were: T0=basal ration without any alfalfa supplementation; T1=basal ration+3% fresh alfalfa supplementation; and T2=basal ration+6% fresh alfalfa supplementation. Fresh alfalfa was quantified on the basis of dry matter content. Drinking water was provided ad libitum. The observed variables were growth performance, measured in terms of feed consumption, body weight gain, and feed conversion ratio; duodenum histomorphology, measured in terms of villus height, villus width, and crypt depth; digestibility, measured in terms of dry matter digestibility; and organic matter, crude protein, and crude fiber concentrations. The data were analyzed using variance analysis with a completely randomized design of one-way pattern with Statistical Product for Service Solution application of version 22. The data with significant differences were further analyzed using Duncan’s new multiple range rest.

Results:

The results of the study showed that 3% alfalfa supplementation increased feed consumption and body weight gain of the hybrid ducks at 35 days of age compared with 0% and 6% supplementation. Furthermore, 3% alfalfa supplementation presented the best result in terms of villus height and duodenal crypt depth. Meanwhile, 6% alfalfa supplementation decreased nutrient digestibility in the ducks.

Conclusion:

These findings show that supplementation of feed with fresh alfalfa could have a significant effect on hybrid ducks in terms of growth performance, small intestinal histomorphology, and digestibility.

Effects of Probiotics and Wheat Bran Supplementation of Broiler Diets on the Ammonia Emission from Excreta

Simple Summary

Animal production is the main source of ammonia emission worldwide and all member countries of the European Union must reduce their national emissions. Among nutritional strategies, feeding low protein diets, using more nutritional phases, or using different feed additives can decrease the nitrogen excretion of animals and, in this way, lower the ammonia volatilisation from the manure. Pro- and prebiotics are widely used to improve gut health and to decrease the incidence of diseases. Numerous research findings have been published on the practical effects of pro- and prebiotics, but their impact on the urinary and faecal N excretion in chickens has not been completely clarified yet. In this research, the effects of using lactic acid and butyric acid producing bacterial strains, and wheat bran as a potential prebiotic, was tested with broiler chickens. Both probiotics increased the dry matter content and decreased the urinary N ratio of the excreta, which is positive from an ammonia emission point of view. Wheat bran and its xylan-oligosaccharides decreased both the ammonium -N content and the urinary N ratio. The results proved that beside the well-known nutritional techniques, the feed additives, which modify the gut microbiota and the fermentation in the caeca, can decrease the urinary-N excretion, and in this way lower the ammonia emission of broiler chickens.

Abstract

Ammonia emission is a concern for the poultry industry from both environmental and animal welfare points of view. The objective of this research was to determine whether probiotics or wheat bran supplementation of broiler diets can modify the N composition of the excreta and the dynamics of ammonia volatilisation emission from the manure. A total of 120-day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens were fed six different diets. The treatments included a corn and soybean meal-based control diet (C) and diets containing wheat bran (WB). Both diets were fed alone and with supplementation of a lactic acid (Lactobacillus farciminis, LAB) and a butyric acid (Clostridium butyricum, BAB) producing bacterial strain. Treatment BAB had a significant effect on the dry matter content of the excreta and both probiotics decreased the amount of excreted uric acid. Treatment WB resulted in a significantly lower NH⁺₄-N concentration of excreta and a tendency toward reduced uric acid content. Treatment LAB reduced the urinary N ratio of excreta. Among dietary treatments, WB resulted in the highest urease producing cell numbers in the excreta, but this difference was not significant. Based on our results, similar to pigs, the soluble fibre fraction of poultry diets can also modify the urinary to faecal N ratio of the excreta.

Toward Precise Nutrient Value of Feed in Growing Pigs: Effect of Meal Size, Frequency and Dietary Fibre on Nutrient Utilisation

Simple Summary

Feed costs are the most important in swine production. Precise determination of nutritional values of pig diets can help reducing feed costs by reducing security margins for nutrients and therefore provide a more sustainable swine production. In commercial farms, pigs have free access to feed and eat with no limitation according to their natural behaviour. In contrast, during digestibility trials, pigs are restricted in their daily intake of feed, which is distributed in a limited number of meals. The number of meals per day and the amount of feed consumed daily can affect the digestibility of the nutrients, the transit time and the metabolism. To reduce feed costs, by-products are frequently added to diets. Most by-products are rich in dietary fibre, which are known to have negative effects on digestibility. Enzymes can be supplemented in the diet to counteract the negative aspects of dietary fibre, but their efficiency can vary depending on the number of meals per day and the amount of feed consumed daily.

Abstract

Nutritional values of ingredients have been and still are the subject of many studies to reduce security margins of nutrients when formulating diets to reduce feed cost. In most studies, pigs are fed a limited amount of feed in a limited number of meals that do not represent how pigs are fed in commercial farm conditions. With free access to feed, pigs follow their intrinsic feeding behaviour. Feed intake is regulated by satiety and satiation signals. Reducing the feed intake level or feeding frequency can affect digestibility and transit time and induce metabolic changes. To reduce feed costs, alternative ingredients that are frequently rich in dietary fibre are added to diets. Fibre acts on the digestion process and transit time by decreasing energy density and causing viscosity. Various analyses of fibre can be realised, and the measured fibre fraction can vary. Exogenous enzymes can be added to counteract the effect of fibre, but digestive tract conditions, influenced by meal size and frequency, can affect the efficiency of supplemented enzymes. In conclusion, the frequency and size of the meals can affect the digestibility of nutrients by modulating gastrointestinal tract conditions (pH and transit time), metabolites (glucose and short-chain fatty acids) and hormones (glucagon-like peptide 1 and peptide tyrosine tyrosine).

Assessing the effects of inulin-type fructan intake on body weight, blood glucose, and lipid profile: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Inulin-type fructan (ITF) intake has been suggested to alleviate several features of metabolic syndrome including obesity, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia; yet, results from the human trials remained inconsistent. We aimed to systematically evaluate the effects of ITF intake on body weight, glucose homeostasis, and lipid profile on human subjects with different health status, including healthy, overweight and obese, prediabetes and diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) between ITF and control groups were calculated by a random-effects model. A total of 33 randomized controlled human trials were included. Significant effect of ITF intake was only observed in the diabetics, but not in the other subject groups. Specifically, ITF intervention significantly decreased the WMD of blood glucose (-0.42 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.71, -0.14; p = .004), total cholesterol (-0.46 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.75, -0.17; p = .002), and triglycerides (TAG) (-0.21 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.37, -0.05; p = .01) compared with the control. The stability of these favorable effects of ITF on diabetics was confirmed by sensitivity analysis. Also, ITF tends to lower LDL cholesterol (p = .084). But body weight and blood insulin were not affected by ITF intake. It should be noted that blood glucose, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol exhibited high unexplained heterogeneity. In conclusion, ITF intake lowers blood glucose, total cholesterol, and TAG in the people with diabetes, and they may benefit from addition of inulin into their diets, but the underlying mechanisms responsible for these effects are inconclusive.

Effect of almond hulls on the performance, egg quality, nutrient digestibility, and body composition of laying hens

The objective of this study was to evaluate 2 varieties of almond hulls (prime and California type hulls) as an alternative feed ingredient on the performance, egg quality, nutrient digestibility, and body composition using a total of 100 23-week-old Hy-Line W36 hens. Treatments consisted of a control diet based on corn and soybean meal; T2 and T3 were formulated to contain 7.5 and 15% of prime hulls; and T4 and T5 contained 7.5 and 15% of California type hulls. Inclusion of prime hulls and California type hulls had no effects on feed intake, egg laying rate, and feed conversion ratio, but California type hulls at 7.5% decreased (P < 0.001) body weight gain compared to the control. Prime hulls at 7.5% and California type hulls at both levels improved (P ≤ 0.022) AMEn and N digestibility. Both prime hulls and California type hulls had no effects on egg size, specific gravity, Haugh unit, and percentages of yolk, albumen and shell, but yolk color appeared greener and less yellow (P ≤ 0.009) by prime hulls and less yellow (P = 0.001) by California type hulls. For body composition, prime hulls and California type hulls at both levels lowered (P ≤ 0.017) body fat, and California type hulls at 7.5% decreased (P = 0.001) lean weight. In summary, inclusion of prime hulls and California type hulls up to 15% had no negative effect on egg production and egg quality while reduced the body fat percentage and mass.

Synbiotic Supplementation Improves Obesity Index and Metabolic Biomarkers in Thai Obese Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial

The cluster of metabolic disorders includes obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and glucose intolerance, increasing the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. Evolving proofs suggest an essential role of microbiota in human health and disease, including digestion, energy and glucose metabolism, immunomodulation, and brain function. The frequency of overweight is increasing, and the main causes for this are highly processed foods and less active lifestyles. Research is underway to unravel the probable relationship between obesity and intestinal microbiota. Here, we propose a method to understand and elucidate the synergistic function of prebiotics and probiotics in treating obesity. The biomarkers of obesity, such as cholesterol, gut permeability, oxidative stress, bacterial toxins, cytokines, and short-chain fatty acids, were analyzed in Thai obese individuals after being supplemented with a synbiotic preparation containing Lactobacillus paracasei, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium breve, inulin, and fructooligosaccharide. The results reveal that the supplementation of synbiotics significantly altered the obesity-associated biomarkers in an appositive way. Further studies are warranted to use synbiotics as an adjuvant therapy for the management of obesity-related health issues.

Insights into host-microbe interaction: What can we do for the swine industry?

Recent discoveries have underscored the cross-talk between intestinal microbes and their hosts. Notably, intestinal microbiota impacts the development, physiological function and social behavior of hosts. This influence usually revolves around the microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA). In this review, we firstly outline the impacts of the host on colonization of intestinal microorganisms, and then highlight the influence of intestinal microbiota on hosts focusing on short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) and tryptophan metabolite-mediated MGBA. We also discuss the intervention of intestinal microbial metabolism by dietary supplements, which may provide new strategies for improving the welfare and production of pigs. Overall, we summarize a state-of-the-art theory that gut microbiome affects brain functions via metabolites from dietary macronutrients.

Dietary fibre intake and lifestyle characteristics in relation to nausea or vomiting during pregnancy-a questionnaire-based cohort study

Nausea or vomiting in pregnancy (NVP) are among the commonest symptoms experienced in early pregnancy. We wanted to evaluate the association of dietary fibre intake, lifestyle characteristics and bowel function with NVP. One hundred and eighty-eight participants completed a self-administered questionnaire concerning bowel function, dietary fibre intake and lifestyle characteristics. Women suffering from NVP (n = 91) consumed significantly more fibre derived from cereal products (p=.026) and total fibre (p=.043) during pre-pregnancy period was compared to women without NVP (n = 97). In both groups, intake of total fibre and fibre derived from fruit and vegetables increased significantly during the first trimester. Dietary fibre intake did not protect from NVP. However, women suffering from NVP were able to maintain their fibre intake. Dietary fibre is tolerated well during NVP, and this finding can be used when giving diet counselling to women suffering from NVP.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? Nausea or vomiting in pregnancy (NVP) are among the commonest symptoms experienced in early pregnancy. The pathophysiology of NVP remains unknown, but it has been suggested to be multifactorial. Diet during pregnancy may have an impact on NVP. It is generally advised to avoid meat, poultry, fish, eggs and spicy and fatty foods during periods of NVP, but there is limited data on the effects of diet of NVP.What do the results of this study add? Women suffering from NVP have been shown to eat less meat (and thus protein) compared to women without NVP. Dietary fibre reduces constipation and heartburn and it also keeps blood glucose levels stable. Because of various beneficial effects of fibre on the digestive system, we hypothesised that a high fibre intake may alleviate the symptoms of NVP.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the amount or source of dietary fibre are associated with NVP. We wanted to investigate intake of fibre derived from cereal products (mostly representing insoluble fibre) and fibre derived from fruit and vegetables (containing mostly soluble fibre) separately in relationship to NVP, as the mechanisms of action of these fibre groups are different. There are no observational studies including also pre-pregnancy consumption of fibre when focussing on the association between fibre and NVP. The results of this study can be used when giving diet counselling to women suffering from NVP.

Health benefits of whole grain: effects on dietary carbohydrate quality, the gut microbiome, and consequences of processing

Grains are important sources of carbohydrates in global dietary patterns. The majority of these carbohydrates, especially in refined-grain products, are digestible. Most carbohydrate digestion takes place in the small intestine where monosaccharides (predominantly glucose) are absorbed, delivering energy to the body. However, a considerable part of the carbohydrates, especially in whole grains, is indigestible dietary fibers. These impact gut motility and transit and are useful substrates for the gut microbiota affecting its composition and quality. For the most part, the profile of digestible and indigestible carbohydrates and their complexity determine the nutritional quality of carbohydrates. Whole grains are more complex than refined grains and are promoted as part of a healthy and sustainable diet mainly because the contribution of indigestible carbohydrates, and their co-passenger nutrients, is significantly higher. Higher consumption of whole grain is recommended because it is associated with lower incidence of, and mortality from, CVD, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. This may be due in part to effects on the gut microbiota. Although processing of cereals during milling and food manufacturing is necessary to make them edible, it also offers the opportunity to still further improve the nutritional quality of whole-grain flours and foods made from them. Changing the composition and availability of grain carbohydrates and phytochemicals during processing may positively affect the gut microbiota and improve health.

Can we modulate the breastfed infant gut microbiota through maternal diet?

Initial colonisation of the infant gut is robustly influenced by regular ingestion of human milk, a substance that contains microbes, microbial metabolites, immune proteins, and oligosaccharides. Numerous factors have been identified as potential determinants of the human milk and infant gut microbiota, including maternal diet; however, there is limited data on the influence of maternal diet during lactation on either of these. Here, we review the processes thought to contribute to human milk and infant gut bacterial colonisation and provide a basis for considering the role of maternal dietary patterns during lactation in shaping infant gut microbial composition and function. Although only one observational study has directly investigated the influence of maternal diet during lactation on the infant gut microbiome, data from animal studies suggests that modulation of the maternal gut microbiota, via diet or probiotics, may influence the mammary or milk microbiota. Additionally, evidence from human studies suggests that the maternal diet during pregnancy may affect the gut microbiota of the breastfed infant. Together, there is a plausible hypothesis that maternal diet during lactation may influence the infant gut microbiota. If substantiated in further studies, this may present a potential window of opportunity for modulating the infant gut microbiome in early life.

Superior inhibitory efficacy of butyrate over propionate and acetate against human colon cancer cell proliferation via cell cycle arrest and apoptosis: linking dietary fiber to cancer prevention

Intake of dietary fiber may protect against colon cancer. The anticancer property is associated with an increased production of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), including acetate, propionate and butyrate, during dietary fiber fermentation in the colon. However, the mechanisms remain to be determined. We hypothesized that butyrate exhibits a stronger inhibitory potential against colon cancer cell proliferation compared with acetate and propionate. We determined the half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) of SCFAs in HCT116 human colon cancer cell proliferation by examining cell growth curves. At 24- and 48-hour time points, IC₅₀ (mmol/L) concentrations of acetate, propionate, and butyrate were [66.0 and 29.0], [9.2 and 3.6], and [2.5 and 1.3], respectively. Consistent with the greater anti-proliferative effect, butyrate exhibits >3-fold stronger potential for inducing cell cycle arrest at the G2 phase with a drop in S-phase fraction (including c-Myc/p21 signaling) and apoptosis when compared with acetate and propionate. Subsequently, we focused on the effect of butyrate on apoptotic gene expression. Using a PCR array analysis, we identified 17 pro-apoptotic genes, 6 anti-apoptotic genes, and 4 cellular mediator genes with >1-fold increase or decrease in mRNA levels out of 93 apoptosis related genes in butyrate-treated HCT116 cells when compared with untreated HCT116 cells. These genes were mainly involved in the TNF, NFκB, CARD, and BCL-2 regulated pathways. Taken together, our data indicate a greater inhibitory efficacy of butyrate over propionate and acetate against human colon cancer cell proliferation via cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.

Dietary fiber regulates intestinal flora and suppresses liver and systemic inflammation to alleviate liver fibrosis in mice

OBJECTIVES

Liver fibrosis is a common pathologic process related to chronic liver disease. However, there are currently no effective methods to reverse liver fibrosis. Chronic liver disease is typically associated with a major imbalance in the intestinal flora, and targeting the regulation of the intestinal flora structure may facilitate the prevention and treatment of chronic liver disease. Therefore, in this study, we explored the effects of dietary fiber on the prevention of liver fibrosis in mice.

METHODS

C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: olive oil group (control), fibrosis (CCl4) group, resistant maltodextrin (RM) + CCl4 group, and wheat fiber (WF) + CCl4 group. In the latter 3 groups, liver fibrosis was established by treatment with CCl4. In the RM + CCl4 and WF + CCl4 groups, the mice were treated with soluble dietary fiber (RM) or insoluble dietary fiber (WF) for 3 wk before receiving CCl4. The effects of dietary fiber on various indexes of liver fibrosis in mice induced by CCl4 were observed.

RESULTS

The results showed that increasing dietary fiber intake prevented liver fibrosis in mice, reduced serum levels of proinflammatory factors (e.g., tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin [IL] 1-beta and IL-6) and increased IL-10 and interferon-gamma levels. Moreover, increased dietary fiber intake also reduced the infiltration of cluster of differentiation (CD) 3+, 4+, and 8+ T lymphocytes in the liver, regulated the structure of the intestinal flora, and increased the Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings revealed the complex relationships between dietary fiber, intestinal flora, and immunity, and suggested that dietary therapy could alleviate liver fibrosis.

The effects of lignocellulose supplementation on laying performance, egg quality parameters, aerobic bacterial load of eggshell, serum biochemical parameters, and jejunal histomorphological traits of laying hens

This study was performed to investigate the effects of lignocellulose supplementation (LS) on performance parameters, egg quality, aerobic bacterial load of eggshell, serum biochemical parameters, and jejunal histomorphological traits of laying hens between 18 and 38 wk of age. A total of 640 pullets at 16 wk of age were allotted to 4 treatment groups as 0 kg (control, CONT), 0.5 kg, 1 kg, and 2 kg LS per ton of feed. Body weight (BW), daily feed intake, egg production (EP), egg weight (EW), and efficiency of feed utilization (EF) were determined as the mean of each 3-wk period between 18 and 38 wk of age. Laying hens in the 1 kg LS group had a higher BW mean (1632.1 g, P < 0.001). The highest mean value of EP and EW were observed in 1 kg LS group (81.8% and 57.3 g, respectively), whereas the lowest values were found in the 2 kg LS group (78.6% and 54.4 g, respectively, P < 0.001). The mean of EF was the lowest in the 1 kg LS group (2.72, P < 0.001). There was a decline in eggshell breaking strength and eggshell thickness in the 2 kg LS, when compared with the 0.5 and 1 kg LS groups (P < 0.001). The total aerobic bacterial load of the eggshell was the lowest in the 1 kg LS group (4.7 log₁₀ cfu/mL). The level of aspartate amino transferase and alanine amino transferase showed an increment in both the CONT and 2 kg LS groups (P < 0.001). The high level of LS (2 kg per ton of feed) caused a decline in the levels of IgY, IgA and IgM, when compared to the 0.5 and 1 kg LS groups (P < 0.001). Laying hens in 0.5 and 1 kg LS groups had longer villus height (1335.9 μm) in the jejunum than the others (P < 0.001). These findings showed that the 1 kg LS per ton of feed improved EP and EW, eggshell quality, immunoglobulin levels and intestinal morphology, and decreased the total aerobic bacterial load.

Growth performance, pH value of gizzard, hepatic enzyme activity, immunologic indicators, intestinal histomorphology, and cecal microflora of broilers fed diets supplemented with processed lignocellulose

This study was performed to investigate the hypothesis that supplementation of processed lignocellulose (PL) in the diets of broilers has a positive effect on growing performance, pH value of gizzard, hepatic enzyme activity, immunologic indicators, histomorphological character of small intestine, and cecal microflora populations. A total of 720 one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were allotted to 4 treatment groups and fed maize−soybean meal based diets. The basal diet was supplemented with PL with an amount of 0 kg (control), 0.5 kg, 1 kg, and 2 kg per ton feed. Growing performance parameters, were determined weekly until 35 D of age. Blood samples for enzyme activities and immunoglobulins, jejunum and cecum samples for histomorphological characters for villus growth, and microbial population were collected from 12 broilers from each group. At 35 D of age, body weight of broilers supplemented with 1 kg of PL was found to be the highest with a value of 2305.0 g, when compared to the broilers supplemented with control, 0,5 and 2 kg of PL groups (2154.0, 2201.0, and 2141.7 g, respectively, P = 0.001). An increased activity of aspartate amino transferase (AST) was observed in the control and 1 kg PL supplementation groups (633.6 and 597.4 IU/L, respectively), whereas alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was the highest in the control group (5404 IU/L, P < 0.05). Broilers in the control group had the lowest level of IgY and IgA (122.2 and 25.8 mg/dL, respectively, P < 0.05). Villus height increased by 22.0%, 40.7%, and 34.8% in 0.5, 1, and 2 kg PL supplementation groups, respectively, when compared to the control (P < 0.001). The processed lignocellulose supplemented as 1 kg of PL decreased the average count of Staphylococcaceae, E. coli, and Enterobacteriaceae, whereas it increased the population of Lactobacillus spp. in the cecum (P < 0.05). These data indicate that the supplementation of processed lignocellulose had positive effects for performance via changes in hepatic enzyme activities, immunoglobulin levels, villus growth in jejunum, and microflora in cecum.

Fecal bacteria and metabolite responses to dietary lysozyme in a sow model from late gestation until lactation

Lysozyme (LZM) is a natural anti-bacterial protein that is found in the saliva, tears and milk of all mammals including humans. Its anti-bacterial properties result from the ability to cleave bacterial cell walls, causing bacterial death. The current study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary LZM on fecal microbial composition and variation in metabolites in sow. The addition of LZM decreased the fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Zonulin and endotoxin in the serum, and feces, were decreased with lysozyme supplementation. Furthermore, fecal concentrations of lipocalin-2 and the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α were also decreased while the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was increased by lysozyme supplementation. 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the V3-V4 region suggested that fecal microbial levels changed at different taxonomic levels with the addition of LZM. Representative changes included the reduction of diversity between sows, decreased Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Tenericutes and Spirochaetes during lactation as well as an increase in Lactobacillus. These findings suggest that dietary lysozyme supplementation from late gestation to lactation promote microbial changes, which would potentially be the mechanisms by which maternal metabolites and inflammatory status was altered after LZM supplementation.

Role of Dietary Nutrients in the Modulation of Gut Microbiota: A Narrative Review

Understanding how dietary nutrients modulate the gut microbiome is of great interest for the development of food products and eating patterns for combatting the global burden of non-communicable diseases. In this narrative review we assess scientific studies published from 2005 to 2019 that evaluated the effect of micro- and macro-nutrients on the composition of the gut microbiome using in vitro and in vivo models, and human clinical trials. The clinical evidence for micronutrients is less clear and generally lacking. However, preclinical evidence suggests that red wine- and tea-derived polyphenols and vitamin D can modulate potentially beneficial bacteria. Current research shows consistent clinical evidence that dietary fibers, including arabinoxylans, galacto-oligosaccharides, inulin, and oligofructose, promote a range of beneficial bacteria and suppress potentially detrimental species. The preclinical evidence suggests that both the quantity and type of fat modulate both beneficial and potentially detrimental microbes, as well as the Firmicutes/Bacteroides ratio in the gut. Clinical and preclinical studies suggest that the type and amount of proteins in the diet has substantial and differential effects on the gut microbiota. Further clinical investigation of the effect of micronutrients and macronutrients on the microbiome and metabolome is warranted, along with understanding how this influences host health.

Effect of fiber source and particle size on chick performance and nutrient utilization

The addition of fiber in chick feeds is known to dilute nutrients; as a result, this may reduce nutrient digestibility and performance. However, recent studies suggest that moderate inclusion of insoluble fibers (2 to 3%) may stimulate gizzard development, which could result in better nutrient utilization and chick growth. The previous fiber sources evaluated were subject to wide fluctuation in their nutritional and chemical composition due to variation in processing. Miscanthus giganteus is a C4 grass purposefully grown for its fiber content which has a consistent fiber composition compared to food process residues. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of dietary fiber source and particle size on day-old chick performance and nutrient digestibility. Day-old chicks (8 chicks per cage, 5 cages per treatment) were fed diets containing 3% of either sepiolite (SEP), cellulose (CEL), coarse beet pulp (BP), fine BP, coarse Miscanthus grass (MG), and fine MG. At the end of days 7, 14, and 21, chicks and experimental diets were weighed to compute average daily gain and feed intake. In addition, excreta from the previous 48 h of each data capture point was collected to determine nutrient digestibility. In general, chicks fed diets containing fiber consumed more feed, gained more weight, and had better feed conversion rate than birds fed the SEP diet. Particle size of the fiber had no effect on chick performance; however, nutrient utilization was higher (P < 0.05) for chicks fed coarse fiber particles compared to these fed fine fiber particles. Birds fed diets containing MG performed similar to chicks fed CEL (P > 0.05), but digestibility coefficients of birds fed BP diets were generally higher than chicks fed MG diets. In conclusion, chicks performed better with fiber in their diet and MG was comparable to CEL.

Winter Wheat Grain Quality, Zinc and Iron Concentration Affected by a Combined Foliar Spray of Zinc and Iron Fertilizers

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the main foods globally. Nutrition problems associated with Zinc and Iron deficiency affect more than two billion individuals. Biofortification is a strategy believed to be sustainable, economical and easily implemented. This study evaluated the effect of combined Zn and Fe applied as foliar fertilizer to winter wheat on grain yield, quality, Zn and Fe concentration in the grains. Results showed that treatments containing high Fe increased the yield. Grain crude fat content remained unaffected. Crude fiber was enhanced up to three-fold by 60% Zn + 40% Fe5.5 (5.5 kg ha−1 of 60% Zn + 40% Fe). Moreover, 80% Zn + 20% Fe5.5 (5.5 kg ha−1 of 80% Zn + 20% Fe) was the best combination for increasing crude protein. Zinc applied alone enhanced Zn concentration in grain. In addition, Fe was slightly improved by an application of Zn and Fe in the first year, but a greater increase was observed in the second year, where 100% Fe13 (13 kg ha−1 of 100% Fe) was the best in improving Fe in grain. Foliar application of Zn and Fe is a practical approach to increase Zn and Fe concentration, and to improve the quality of wheat grains.

A comparison of online and offline measurement of exhaled breath for diabetes pre-screening by graphene-based sensor; from powder processing to clinical monitoring prototype

Several breath analysis studies have suggested a correlation between blood glucose (BG) levels and breath acetone, indicating acetone as a primary biomarker in exhaled breath for diabetes diagnosis. Herein, we have (i) fabricated and validated graphene-based chemi-resistive sensors for selective and sensitive detection of acetone, (ii) performed offline breath analysis by a static gas sensing set-up to acquire olfactory signals, and (iii) developed an LED-based portable on/off binary e-nose system for pre-screening diabetes through online analysis. The fabricated sensors showed selective detection for acetone with high sensitivity (5.66 for 1 ppm acetone vapor) and fast response and recovery times (10 s and 12 s) at low concentrations. The sensor responses of end tidal fractional breath (collected in Tedlar bags) in the fasting and postprandial conditions were compared with BG levels and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels taken at the same time in 30 volunteers (13 healthy and 17 diabetic subjects). The mean sensor responses of the diabetic subjects as obtained by offline analysis were 1.1 times higher than those of the healthy subjects. The optimal regression equation framed with the significant correlating variables for HbA1c estimation achieved an accuracy of 66.67%. The online breath analysis by on/off binary prototype exhibited an accuracy of 60.51%. Though there exists a minimal uncertainty in classification, the on/off type portable prototype is easy to operate, gives a quicker response with a refresh/recovery rate of 19 s and can be used for preliminary diagnosis, and can be used for preliminary diagnosis. This inexpensive sensor technology may revolutionize personalized medicine in the near future and greatly benefit the underprivileged.

Secondary Bile Acids and Short Chain Fatty Acids in the Colon: A Focus on Colonic Microbiome, Cell Proliferation, Inflammation, and Cancer

Secondary bile acids (BAs) and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), two major types of bacterial metabolites in the colon, cause opposing effects on colonic inflammation at chronically high physiological levels. Primary BAs play critical roles in cholesterol metabolism, lipid digestion, and host–microbe interaction. Although BAs are reabsorbed via enterohepatic circulation, primary BAs serve as substrates for bacterial biotransformation to secondary BAs in the colon. High-fat diets increase secondary BAs, such as deoxycholic acid (DCA) and lithocholic acid (LCA), which are risk factors for colonic inflammation and cancer. In contrast, increased dietary fiber intake is associated with anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. These effects may be due to the increased production of the SCFAs acetate, propionate, and butyrate during dietary fiber fermentation in the colon. Elucidation of the molecular events by which secondary BAs and SCFAs regulate colonic cell proliferation and inflammation will lead to a better understanding of the anticancer potential of dietary fiber in the context of high-fat diet-related colon cancer. This article reviews the current knowledge concerning the effects of secondary BAs and SCFAs on the proliferation of colon epithelial cells, inflammation, cancer, and the associated microbiome.