Evaluation of the Prebiotic Potential of a Commercial Synbiotic Food Ingredient on Gut Microbiota in an Ex Vivo Model of the Human Colon

Abstract

Behavior and mood disorders have been linked to gut microbiota dysbiosis through the “microbiota-gut-brain axis”. Microbiota-targeting interventions are promising therapeutic modalities to restore or even maintain normal microbiome composition and activity in these disorders. Here, we test the impact of a commercial synbiotic formulation on gut microbiota composition and metabolic activity. We employed an ex-vivo continuous fermentation model that simulates the proximal colon to assess the effect of this formulation on microbiota structure and functionality as compared to no treatment control and microcrystalline cellulose as a dietary fiber control. The test formulation did not alter the diversity of gut microbiota over 48 h of treatment. However, it induced the enrichment of Lactobacillus, Collinsella and Erysipelotrichaceae. The test formulation significantly increased the level of microbiota-generated butyrate within 12 h of treatment as compared to 24 h required by microcrystalline cellulose to boost its production. The test formulation did not lead to a significant change in amino acid profiles. These results provide evidence of potential benefits related to synbiotic effects and general gut health and support the potential of this food formulation as a therapeutic dietary intervention in mood and behavior disorders.

Gut-Microbiome Composition in Response to Phenylketonuria Depends on Dietary Phenylalanine in BTBR Pahenu2 Mice

“…For Erysipelotricaceae , research also shows that it responds differently to diet or host health phenotypes, indicating that alterations in abundances can have a negative or beneficial impact depending on the disease ( 55 ). Among our genera of interest, we find genera that are already used in the food industry ( Lactococcus ) or as probiotics ( Enterococcus ) ( 56 ). Interestingly, the Alloprevotella genus has been associated with the production of short-chain fatty acid and amino acid metabolism in specific pathogen-free mice ( 57 ).…”

Survival and Interplay of γ-Aminobutyric Acid-Producing Psychobiotic Candidates with the Gut Microbiota in a Continuous Model of the Human Colon

“…Macfarlane broth is a complex, nutritive medium mimicking the nutrients encountered in a healthy adult large intestine [ 26 ]. The nutrient medium was described in [ 27 ]. The medium was autoclaved for 15 min, and a filter-sterilized mixture of vitamin solution was added to the cold medium before use.…”

Screening, characterization and growth of γ-aminobutyric acid-producing probiotic candidates from food origin under simulated colonic conditions

“…Comparative growth in mMRS and Macfarlane broths GABA-producing bacteria were grown in mMRS broth or Macfarlane broth supplemented with 0.5% (w/v) MSG and 0.01% (w/v) PLP (Mottawea et al, 2020). The fresh culture media were inoculated with 1% overnight subculture and then incubated under anaerobic conditions at 37°C for 24 h. Samples were taken at 0, 24 and 48 h of incubation and analysed for viable bacterial counts (CFU/ ml), pH and GAD activity, as described below.…”

“…Pre-fermented broth medium is a Macfarlane broth medium containing faecal microbial matter immobilized by gel beads, a solution containing 2.5% gellan gum (Alfa Aesar), 0.25% xanthan gum (TCI America), and 0.2% sodium citrate (VWR Chemicals) (v/w), after the stabilization phase of fermentation in an inoculum reactor (DASGIP®; Eppendorf) (Mottawea et al, 2020). This medium, as a fermented outflow, was recovered from the fermentation system, which was fed continuously with fresh Macfarlane broth by replacing the fermented broth and set up at 80 rpm, 37°C, pH 6.7, and sterile CO 2 sparger to maintain anaerobic conditions and stabilize the faecal microbiota, then centrifuged at 14,000 g for 10 min, and filtered by 0.45 μm pore size for taking the supernatants for further experiments.…”