Approximately $20 billion of apple sales are generated annually in the United States. With an estimated 5 million tons produced yearly in the U.S. within the last decade, apple consumption is considered ubiquitous. Apples are comprised of bioactive constituents such as phytochemicals and prebiotics that may potentiate intestinal health and the gut microbiome. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Empire apple juice, pomace, and pulp soluble extracts on intestinal functionality, morphology, and the microbiome in vivo (Gallus gallus). There were five treatment groups: non-injected (NI); 18 MΩ H2O (H2O); 6% apple juice (AJ); 6% apple pomace (APo); 6% apple pulp (APu). The eggs were treated by intra-amniotic administration of the samples on day 17 of incubation. After hatching, the blood, tissue, and cecum samples were collected for further analyses—including duodenal histomorphology, hepatic and duodenal mRNA expression, and cecal bacterial populations. Crypt depth was significantly (p < 0.5) shortest in AJ when compared to APo and APu. APo and APu soluble extracts significantly improved villi surface area compared to NI and H2O control groups. The highest count of Paneth cells per crypt was observed in APo as compared to all groups. In addition, the expression of brush border membrane micronutrient metabolism and functional proteins varied between treatments. Lastly, Lactobacillus cecal microbial populations increased significantly in the AJ group, while AJ, APu, and APu increased the abundance of Clostridium (p < 0.5). Ultimately, these results indicate the potential of Empire apple pomace to improve host intestinal health and the gut microbiome.

This is a preliminary study evaluating the effect of different fractions of Concord grapes (Vitis labrusca L.) on the brush border membrane (BBM) morphology, duodenal gene expression, and specific gut bacterial populations. For this study, we utilized a unique intraamniotic approach, wherein, the test substances are administered into the amnion of the Gallus gallus egg (on day 17). The embryo orally consumes the amniotic fluid along with the injected test substance before the hatch. We randomly divided ~50 fertilized eggs into 5 groups including 6% grape (juice, puree, and pomace) along with controls (no injection and diluent—H2O). The grape juice was prepared by crushing the grapes; the grape residues were used as pomace. The grape puree included the grape skin, endocarp, mesocarp, and juice but not the seeds. On day 21, the hatch day, the blood, pectoral muscle, liver, duodenum, and large intestine were harvested. Our results showed no significant differences in blood glucose, pectoral glycogen level, or body weight. However, significant (p < 0.05) differences in duodenal and liver gene expression were observed between the treatment groups. The grape puree treatment resulted in higher Clostridium numbers and lower Bifidobacterium numbers when compared to all other groups. In summary, the dietary consumption of grape polyphenols has the potential to beneficially modulate aspects of intestinal health provided their concentration is limited.