Evaluation of Fermentability of Whole Soybeans and Soybean Oligosaccharides by a Canine In Vitro Fermentation Model

Abstract

Soybean oligosaccharides (OS) have been recognized as a prebiotic that can be fermented in the colon, resulting in short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production that can be used as an energy source for colonocytes, supporting cell differentiation and gut health. The objective was to determine the effects of WSBOS on in vitro fermentation, using dog feces as inoculum. Treatments included total dietary fiber (TDF) residues from WSB, soybean hulls (SH), pea fiber (PF), and beet pulp (BP), as well as WSB TDF residue plus soybean OS (WSBOS) and WSB TDF residue plus raffinose, stachyose, and verbascose (WSBRSV). Fresh fecal samples were collected from dogs and maintained in anaerobic conditions until substrate inoculation. Test tubes containing fiber sources and inoculum were incubated for 4, 8, and 12 h at 39 °C. Organic matter disappearance (OMD), pH, and SCFA were measured. The WSBOS and WSBRSV had greater (p < 0.05) OMDs than BP. Butyrate production was greatest (p < 0.05) for WSBOS (294.7 µmol/g) and WSBRSV (266.1 µmol/g), followed by BP (130.3 µmol/g) and WSB (109.2 µmol/g), and lowest (p < 0.05) for PF (44.1 µmol/g). The production of total SCFA was greatest (p < 0.05) for BP and WSBOS, followed by WSB, and lowest (p < 0.05) for PF. In conclusion, WSB has the potential as a prebiotic demonstrating greater butyrate production than BP in a canine in vitro fermentation model due to the fermentation of both OS and fiber in WSB. Further animal feeding studies are needed to determine the appropriate amount of WSB in canine diets.

Apparent total tract digestibility and palatability of extruded diets with graded levels of whole soybeans by dogs

“…Thus, extrusion processing may improve the bioavailability of fibers in soybean hulls in monogastric animals ( 14 ). Further, the soluble fiber and oligosaccharides (OS) in soy may be beneficial for dogs serving as a prebiotic fiber which can be fermented and utilized as an energy source by the hindgut microbiome ( 15 ). Soy OS refer to galactosyl-sucrose raffinose and stachyose in soybeans that are non-digestible ( 16 ).…”

Effects of Oligosaccharide Fermentation on Canine Gut Microbiota and Fermentation Metabolites in an In Vitro Fecal Fermentation Model

“…Prebiotics are substrates selectively fermented by the host gut microbiota, thereby providing health benefits to the host. Several studies have shown that supplementing prebiotics into dog feed can potentially have beneficial effects on the health of companion dogs [3,4]. These oligosaccharides, including fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), galactooligosaccharides (GOS), mannan oligosaccharides (MOS), and the emerging raffinose (RFN), have been proposed as the most common archetypes of prebiotics and are widely used in human food products and supplements to promote favorable gut microbial balance and enhance wellness [5].…”

“…Most previous studies have focused on FOS as a dog feed supplement and determined its positive functions in promoting beneficial microbial growth, inhibiting undesirable bacterial reproduction, and increasing short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations [7,8]. Recently, Kee et al found that soybean oligosaccharides have a significant capacity to stimulate butyrate production in a canine in vitro fermentation model [4]. However, limited studies have been conducted on the diverse prebiotic effects of various oligosaccharides as potential dietary supplements for enhancement of canine gastrointestinal health.…”