Characterisation and In Vitro Evaluation of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) Seed Gum as a Potential Prebiotic in Growing Rabbit Nutrition

Abstract

Some components of soluble fibre appear to have prebiotic effects that can contribute to improving digestive health in post-weaning rabbits. In this work, a fenugreek seed gum (FGS), extracted from Trigonella foenum-graecum seeds and rich in galactomannan, was characterised. Both the pure FSG and ten substrates obtained by the inclusion of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 g/kg of FSG in diets rich in soluble (SF) and insoluble (IF) fibre were evaluated in vitro to determine FSG prebiotic potential for rabbit diets. FSG was rich in total sugars (630 g/kg dry matter), consisting entirely of galactose and mannose in a 1:1 ratio, and a moderate protein content (223 g/kg dry matter). Pure FSG was affected very little by in vitro digestion, as only 145 g/kg of the FSG was dissolved during the enzymatic phase. However, the linear inclusion of FSG up to 20 g/kg in growing rabbit feeds has led to a reduction in the solubility of some nutrients during in vitro enzymatic phase, especially in SF diets. Pure FSG not digested during the enzymatic phase almost completely disappeared during the in vitro fermentation phase, 984 g/kg of this indigestible fraction. However, although linear inclusion of FSG up to 20 g/kg in SF diets increased the fermented fraction, no relevant changes in the fermentation profile were observed. In conclusion, FSG satisfies two essential conditions of the prebiotic effect, showing resistance to in vitro enzymatic digestion and being totally fermented in vitro by caecal bacteria, although in vivo studies will be necessary to determine its prebiotic potential.

The Renaissance of Plant Mucilage in Health Promotion and Industrial Applications: A Review

“…Microencapsulation of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 15HN in a gel formulation (1.5% alginate with 0.5% fenugreek) provided adequate bacterial cell viability under low pH and high bile salt concentrations [160]. In a study by Zemzmi et al on the effect of mucilage on rabbits, fermentation by cecal bacteria was observed and the gel was resistant to digestive enzymes in vitro, indicating the potential prebiotic effect of fenugreek seed gel extract [161].…”

Emerging applications of 3D engineered constructs from plant seed extracts

“…Gum possesses diverse properties of attracting water giving them high viscosity and swelling properties and its ability to form a biofilm ( Mohammadinejad et al, 2020 ). The application of gum-derived seed was studied in the gastrointestinal tract through drug release ( Zemzmi et al, 2020 ), and on colorectal cancer as antitumor medications ( Chaurasia et al, 2006 ).…”

Marine Macroalgae in Rabbit Nutrition: In Vitro Digestibility, Caecal Fermentability, and Microbial Inhibitory Activity of Seven Macroalgae Species from Galicia (NW Spain)

“…Moreover, the limitation on the prophylactic use of antibiotics in animal production produced in Europe in the last years led to an increase in rabbit mortality in many farms, often making production almost economically unsustainable [7,8]. In this respect, the main challenge in rabbit production is to maintain gut health in the rabbits during the post-weaning period [9][10][11], when the digestive tract is very vulnerable and susceptible to the proliferation of bacterial pathogens (e.g., Clostridium perfringens and Escherichia coli) and parasitic protozoa (e.g., coccidians) [12]. In this context, alternatives to antibiotics that improve the gut health and resilience of rabbits to pathogens are required [6], and dietary strategies are especially key in the post-weaning period [13,14].…”