Probiotics and prebiotics have become viable alternatives of growth-promoting antimicrobials in animal production. Here, we tested partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) as a possible prebiotic for piglets in the commercial farm. Five hundred and ninety-four piglets were used for the experiments, with 293 given a normal pig feed (control), while the rest the feed plus 0.06% (w/w) of PHGG (PHGG). One and three months post-PHGG supplementation, fecal samples were collected from randomly selected 20 piglets in each group and analyzed for microbiota and organic acid concentrations. Notably, the abundance of Streptococcus, and unclassified Ruminococcaceae were lower (p < 0.05) in PHGG than in control, one-month post-supplementation. Lactobacillus and Prevotella were higher (p < 0.05), while Streptococcus was lower (p < 0.05), in PHGG than in control, three months post-supplementation. The concentrations of acetate, propionate, and butyrate were greater in PHGG than in control, three months post-supplementation. Finally, PHGG grew faster and had fewer deaths until slaughter time (p < 0.05), than control. We concluded that PHGG not only was an effective prebiotic to alter gut microbiota of weanling piglets but also can possibly promote body weight accretion and health.

The role of Fusobacterium nucleatum, often associated with intestinal diseases, in remission of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis was investigated. Female mice were divided into groups DC (DSS control) and DF (DSS + F.nucleatum). F.nucleatum (1.0 × 1010 cfu/mouse/day) in PBS was orally given to DF, while DC had PBS only. All mice had DSS in drinking water. In Experiment 1, mice underwent two inflammation phases, an in-between recovery phase, and had their disease activity indices (DAI) calculated. Experiment 2 was similarly conducted, except that mice were dissected 3 days post-recovery, and had blood and colonic mucosal samples collected. In Experiment 1, DF had significantly (P &lt; .05) higher DAI than DC, during the recovery and 2nd inflammation phases. In Experiment 2, genus Bacteroides was significantly (P &lt; .05) higher and family Lachnospiraceae significantly lower in cecal mucosa-associated microbiota of DF than in that of DC. We concluded that F.nucleatum can impeded colitis remission.