Modulation of the faecal microbiome of healthy adult dogs by inclusion of potato fibre in the diet

Abstract

Inclusion of fermentable fibres in the diet can have an impact on the hindgut microbiome and provide numerous health benefits to the host. Potato fibre (PF), a co-product of potato starch isolation, has a favourable chemical composition of pectins, resistant and digestible starch, cellulose, and hemicelluloses. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of increasing dietary PF concentrations on the faecal microbiome of healthy adult dogs. Fresh faecal samples were collected from ten female dogs with hound bloodlines (6·13 (SEM 0·17) years; 22·0 (SEM 2·1) kg) fed five test diets containing graded concentrations of PF (0, 1·5, 3, 4·5 or 6 % as-fed; Roquette Frères) in a replicated 5 £ 5 Latin square design. Extraction of DNA was followed by amplification of the V4 -V6 variable region of the 16S rRNA gene using barcoded primers. Sequences were classified into taxonomic levels using Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLASTn) against a curated GreenGenes database. Inclusion of PF increased (P,0·05) the faecal proportions of Firmicutes, while those of Fusobacteria decreased (P,0·05). Similar shifts were observed at the genus level and were confirmed by quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis. With increasing concentrations of PF, faecal proportions of Faecalibacterium increased (P,0·05). Post hoc Pearson's correlation analysis showed positive (P, 0·05) correlations with Bifidobacterium spp. and butyrate production and Lactobacillus spp. concentrations. Overall, increases in the proportion of Faecalibacterium (not Lactobacillus/ Bifidobacterium, as confirmed by qPCR analysis) and faecal SCFA concentrations with increasing dietary PF concentrations suggest that PF is a possible prebiotic fibre.

Key bacterial families (Clostridiaceae, Erysipelotrichaceae and Bacteroidaceae) are related to the digestion of protein and energy in dogs

“…This suggests that the Clostridiaceae perform a different role in the large bowel of the dog compared to the rat; in the rat they respond to dietary carbohydrates, but in the dog they are stimulated by dietary protein. This is consistent with observations in previous dog studies showing no effect of fibre (Panasevich et al, 2015; Beloshapka et al, 2013) on the abundances of Clostridiaceae, except at very high levels of fibre inclusion in the diet (6%) (Panasevich et al, 2015). …”

“…In the current study we showed that Clostridiaceae, Erysipelotrichaceae and Bacteroidaceae may play central roles in the relationships between microbiota, macronutrient composition and digestibility, and faecal health score and faecal weight. These three families have all been identified in the faecal microbiota of healthy dogs (Kerr et al, 2013; Garcia-Mazcorro et al, 2012; Garcia-Mazcorro et al, 2011; Gagne et al, 2013; Handl et al, 2011; Panasevich et al, 2015). …”

Effects of Different Oligosaccharides on Growth of Selected Probiotic Bacterial Strains

“…Additional inconsistencies in study design, concentrations of additives and outcome measures/ techniques used make comparisons between studies difficult. Especially FOS has not been tested extensively as prebiotics in small animals, but some preliminary data are available [26][27][28][29][30][31]. In one study, addition of 1-3 g of FOS to animal feed (total dose) did not have an effect of SCFA and other metabolite production [32].…”

Benefits of Super Food and Functional Food for Companion Animals

“…This tuberous root vegetable acting as an antioxidant tackles free radicals in the body and helps in healing and disease prevention [2]. Potato iber, a prebiotic, has been shown to promote the production of many essential molecules and shifted the microbiome in ways that may be vital to gut health [23]. A study in dogs after potato iber was added in their diet showed that Faecalibacterium prausnizii, a probiotic proliferated butyrate, short-chained faty acids (SCFAs) increased and there was an overall decrease in fecal pH [23].…”