112 Modulating Effects of Miscanthus Grass and Prebiotic Blends on Canine Fecal Microbiota, Metabolites, and Digestibility

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 56-57
Author(s):  
Shannon E Finet ◽  
Fei He ◽  
Lindsay V Clark ◽  
Maria R de Godoy

Abstract Dietary fiber plays an important role in gastrointestinal health as it modulates the gut environment and promotes microbiome homeostasis. However, dietary fiber sources vary in composition, physico-chemical properties, and physiological effects. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of miscanthus grass fiber and prebiotic fiber blends on fecal microbiota, fecal metabolites, and apparent total tract digestibility in comparison to traditional dietary fiber sources. Animal procedures were approved by the University of Illinois Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Six dietary treatments were formulated to meet or exceed AAFCO nutrient profile (2018) and included either cellulose, beet pulp, miscanthus fiber, or a blend of miscanthus fiber and tomato pomace, miscanthus fiber and resistant starch, or miscanthus fiber and fructooligosaccharide. Twelve female adult beagles were randomly assigned one of the six treatments in a replicated 6x6 Latin square design and fed for 21 d including 17 d of diet adaptation followed by 4 d of total and fresh fecal collection. All diets were well digested by the animals. Dogs fed beet pulp had greater fecal total short-chain fatty acid concentration than the cellulose treatment (P < 0.05), while the dogs fed diets containing miscanthus fiber were intermediate. No difference in the α-diversity of fecal microbial communities was observed among treatments (P >0.05), while β-diversity of dogs fed the beet pulp treatment differed from the other treatment groups. Miscanthus grass can be utilized successfully in diets for adult dogs with tomato pomace and resistant starch blends resulting in similar physiological effects to cellulose.

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 58-58
Author(s):  
Shannon E Finet ◽  
Fei He ◽  
Heather Mangian ◽  
Maria R C de Godoy

Abstract Dietary fiber is an important component of pet food that helps to promote colonocyte health by favoring saccharolytic fermentation and short-chain fatty acid production in addition to modulating gut microbiota and aiding laxation. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the effects of miscanthus grass fiber, prebiotic fiber blends, and traditional dietary fiber sources on apparent total tract digestibility, fecal metabolites, and gastrointestinal intolerance in adult canines. Animal procedures were approved by the University of Illinois Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Twelve female adult beagles were randomly assigned to one of six treatments containing cellulose, beet pulp, miscanthus fiber, or a blend of miscanthus fiber and tomato pomace, miscanthus fiber and resistant starch, or miscanthus fiber and fructooligosaccharide in a replicated 6x6 Latin square design. All treatment diets were formulated to meet or exceed AAFCO nutrient profile (2018). The dogs received each treatment for 21 d, with 17 d of diet adaptation followed by 4 d of total and fresh fecal collection. No difference in fecal score was observed (P < 0.05). Dogs fed the beet pulp diet had the highest organic matter digestibility and total dietary fiber digestibility (P < 0.05) when compared to all other treatments. Crude protein digestibility was significantly higher (P < 0.05) for the cellulose, miscanthus fiber, and miscanthus and resistant starch blend than the beet pulp diet. Fecal total short-chain fatty acid concentration was greatest for beet pulp and lowest for the cellulose treatment (P < 0.05) with the miscanthus fiber and miscanthus fiber blends with resistant starch, fructooligosaccharide, and tomato pomace being intermediate. No difference was observed in fecal total branched-chain fatty acid concentration (P < 0.05). The data suggest that miscanthus fiber is an adequate and functional source of fiber in extruded canine diets, and comparable to the traditional fiber source, cellulose.


Author(s):  
Albert Shieh ◽  
S Melanie Lee ◽  
Venu Lagishetty ◽  
Carter Gottleib ◽  
Jonathan P Jacobs ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose To determine whether correcting vitamin D deficiency with cholecalciferol (vitamin D3, D3) or calcifediol (25-hydroxyvitamin D3, 25(OH)D3) changes gut microbiome composition. Methods 18 adults with vitamin D deficiency (25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] <20 ng/ml) received 60 mcg/day of D3 or 20 mcg/day of 25(OH)D3 for 8 weeks. Changes in serum 25(OH)D, 1,25-diydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D), and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (24,25(OH)2D) were assessed. We characterized composition of the fecal microbiota using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and examined changes in α-diversity (Chao 1, Faith’s Phylogenetic Diversity, Shannon Index), β-diversity (DEICODE), and genus-level abundances (DESeq2). Results Vitamin D3 and 25(OH)D3 groups were similar. After 8 weeks of vitamin D3, mean 25(OH)D and 24,25(OH)2D increased significantly, but 1,25(OH)2D did not (25(OH)D: 17.8 to 30.1 ng/ml [p=0.002]; 24,25(OH)2D: 1.1 to 2.7 ng/ml [p=0.003]; 1,25(OH)2D: 49.5 to 53.0 pg/ml [p=0.9]). After 8 weeks of 25(OH)D3, mean 25(OH)D, 24,25(OH)2D, and 1,25(OH)2D increased significantly (25(OH)D: 16.7 to 50.6 ng/ml [p<0.0001]; 24,25(OH)2D: 1.3 to 6.2 ng/ml [p=0.0001]; 1,25(OH)2D: 56.5 to 74.2 pg/ml [p=0.05]). Fecal microbial α-diversity and β-diversity did not change with D3 or 25D3 supplementation. Mean relative abundance of Firmicutes increased and mean relative abundance of Bacterioidetes decreased from baseline to four weeks, but returned to baseline by study completion. DESeq2 analysis did not confirm any statistically significant taxonomic changes. Main conclusions In a small sample of healthy adults with vitamin D deficiency, restoration of vitamin D sufficiency with vitamin D3 or 25(OH)D3 did not lead to lasting changes in the fecal microbiota.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1015-1015
Author(s):  
Julie Jeon ◽  
Xi Fang ◽  
Jeferson Lourenco ◽  
Srujana Rayalam ◽  
Michael Rothrock ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives Microbial programming in early life is associated with gut health and overall well-being in adulthood. The establishment of the nascent gut microbiome is substantially influenced by both maternal nutrition and the native maternal microbiome. Pig is recognized as a valuable model in gastrointestinal track research due to its remarkable similarity to humans in gastrointestinal anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, immunology, and pathology. This study examined the characteristics of the gut microflora in the sow-piglet dyad. Methods Fecal samples were collected from sows (n = 6) and piglets (n = 24) at weaning. Bacterial DNA was isolated from the feces and the V3-V4 region of 16 s rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced using the Illumina Miseq platform and analyzed by QIIME pipeline. Results Sows had a twice higher abundance of Firmicutes than piglets (84.28% vs 40.19%, P < 0.0001), although Firmicutes was the most abundant phyla in both sows and piglets. Instead, piglets had higher abundances of Bacteroidetes (36.41% vs 9.61%, P < 0.0001) and Proteobacteria (11.31% vs 0.87%, P = 0.005) than sows. Early colonization of Proteobacteria has been suggested to be important for development of neonatal immunity. Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio was higher in sows than in piglets (16.32 vs 1.36, P < 0.0001), which is consistent with previous reports in humans. The five most abundant families in sows were Clostridiaceae (30.43%), Turicibacteraceae (17.13%), Ruminococcaceae (11.29%), Lactobacillaceae (8.27%), and Lachnospiraceae (4.99%), while those in piglets were Bacteroidaceae (23.96%), Lachnospiraceae (9.13%), Clostridiaceae (7.52%), Ruminococcaceae (6.80%), and Enterobacteriaceae (6.63%). Observed OTUs in sows were higher (P = 0.02) than those in piglets, suggesting that piglets at early stage of life have lower fecal α-diversity. Moreover, β-diversity was very different between sows and piglets (P = 0.01). Conclusions Sows and piglets showed distinctive pattern of fecal microflora, and piglets had fewer species numbers at weaning compared to that of sows. This finding will provide a valuable information for future transgenerational studies on the gut microbiome and its consequences for health using a sow-piglet dyad. Funding Sources Georgia Experimental Agricultural Station, UGA Faculty research grant, and Center for Chronic Disorders of Aging at the PCOM.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0244381
Author(s):  
Caroline A. McKinney ◽  
Daniela Bedenice ◽  
Ana P. Pacheco ◽  
Bruno C. M. Oliveira ◽  
Mary-Rose Paradis ◽  
...  

Background and aims Fecal microbial transplantation (FMT) is empirically implemented in horses with colitis to facilitate resolution of diarrhea. The purpose of this study was to assess FMT as a clinical treatment and modulator of fecal microbiota in hospitalized horses with colitis. Methods A total of 22 horses with moderate to severe diarrhea, consistent with a diagnosis of colitis, were enrolled at two referral hospitals (L1: n = 12; L2: n = 10). FMT was performed in all 12 patients on 3 consecutive days at L1, while treatment at L2 consisted of standard care without FMT. Manure was collected once daily for 4 days from the rectum in all colitis horses, prior to FMT for horses at L1, and from each manure sample used for FMT. Fecal samples from 10 clinically healthy control horses housed at L2, and 30 healthy horses located at 5 barns in regional proximity to L1 were also obtained to characterize the regional healthy equine microbiome. All fecal microbiota were analyzed using 16S amplicon sequencing. Results and conclusions As expected, healthy horses at both locations showed a greater α-diversity and lower β-diversity compared to horses with colitis. The fecal microbiome of healthy horses clustered by location, with L1 horses showing a higher prevalence of Kiritimatiellaeota. Improved manure consistency (lower diarrhea score) was associated with a greater α-diversity in horses with colitis at both locations (L1: r = -0.385, P = 0.006; L2: r = -0.479, P = 0.002). Fecal transplant recipients demonstrated a greater overall reduction in diarrhea score (median: 4±3 grades), compared to untreated horses (median: 1.5±3 grades, P = 0.021), with a higher incidence in day-over-day improvement in diarrhea (22/36 (61%) vs. 10/28 (36%) instances, P = 0.011). When comparing microbiota of diseased horses at study conclusion to that of healthy controls, FMT-treated horses showed a lower mean UniFrac distance (0.53±0.27) than untreated horses (0.62±0.26, P<0.001), indicating greater normalization of the microbiome in FMT-treated patients.


2022 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Bai ◽  
Xingjian Zhou ◽  
Jinbiao Zhao ◽  
Zhenyu Wang ◽  
Hao Ye ◽  
...  

Effects of different dietary fiber (DF) sources on short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) production and absorption in the hindgut of growing pigs were studied by an in vivo–vitro (ileal cannulated pigs and fecal inoculum-based fermentation) method. Thirty-six cannulated pigs (body weight: 48.5 ± 2.1 kg) were randomly allocated to 6 treatments containing the same DF content (16.5%), with either wheat bran (WB), corn bran (CB), sugar beet pulp (SBP), oat bran (OB), soybean hulls (SH), or rice bran (RB) as DF sources. Pigs were allowed 15 days for diet adaptation, and then, fresh ileal digesta and feces were collected to determine SCFA concentration which was normalized for food dry matter intake (DMI) and the hindgut DF fermentability. Fecal microbiota was inoculated into the freeze-dried ileal digesta samples to predict the ability of SCFA production and absorption in the hindgut by in vitro fermentation. The SH group had the largest concentration of total SCFA and propionate in ileal digesta and fecal samples of growing pigs (p &lt; 0.05). Nonetheless, the predicted acetate, total SCFA production, absorption in the SBP group were the highest (p &lt; 0.01), but the lowest in the OB group (p &lt; 0.01) among all groups. Even SBP and OB group had a similar ratio of soluble DF (SDF) to insoluble DF (IDF). The CB group had high determined ileal and fecal butyrate concentration but the lowest butyrate production and absorption in the hindgut (p &lt; 0.01). Overall, the source of DF had a great impact on the hindgut SCFA production and absorption, and SBP fiber had a great potential to increase hindgut SCFA production and absorption.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xianjiang Tang ◽  
Liangzhi Zhang ◽  
Chao Fan ◽  
Lei Wang ◽  
Haibo Fu ◽  
...  

Several studies have shown that dietary fiber can significantly alter the composition and structure of the gut bacterial community in humans and mammals. However, few researches have been conducted on the dynamics of the bacterial community assembly across different graded levels of dietary fiber in different gut regions. To address this, 24 Durco × Bamei crossbred pigs were randomly assigned to four experimental chows comprising graded levels of dietary fiber. Results showed that the α-and β-diversity of the bacterial community was significantly different between the cecum and the jejunum. Adding fiber to the chow significantly increased the α-diversity of the bacterial community in the jejunum and cecum, while the β-diversity decreased. The complexity of the bacterial network increased with the increase of dietary fiber in jejunal content samples, while it decreased in cecal content samples. Furthermore, we found that stochastic processes governed the bacterial community assembly of low and medium dietary fiber groups of jejunal content samples, while deterministic processes dominated the high fiber group. In addition, deterministic processes dominated all cecal content samples. Taken together, the variation of gut community composition and structure in response to dietary fiber was distinct in different gut regions, and the dynamics of bacterial community assembly across the graded levels of dietary fiber in different gut regions was also distinct. These findings enhanced our knowledge on the bacterial community assembly processes in gut ecosystems of livestock.


Genes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 637 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben Jesuorsemwen Enagbonma ◽  
Bukola Rhoda Aremu ◽  
Olubukola Oluranti Babalola

Profiling the metabolic processes performed by bacteria is vital both for understanding and for manipulating ecosystems for industrial or research purposes. In this study we aim to assess the bacterial functional diversity in termite mound soils with the assumption that significant differences will be observed in the functional diversity of bacteria between the termite mound soils and their surrounding soils and that each environment has a distinguishing metabolic profile. Here, metagenomic DNA extracted from termite mound soils and their corresponding surrounding soils, which are 10 m apart, were sequenced using a shotgun sequencing approach. Our results revealed that the relative abundances of 16 functional categories differed significantly between both habitats. The α diversity analysis indicated no significant difference in bacterial functional categories within the habitats while the β diversity showed that the bacterial functional categories varied significantly between the termite mound soils and the surrounding soil samples. The variations in soil physical and chemical properties existing between the two environments were held accountable for the differences in bacterial functional structure. With the high relative abundance of functional categories with unknown function reported in this study, this could signify the likelihood of getting novel genes from termite mound soils, which are needed for research and commercial applications.


Microbiome ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenyu Wang ◽  
Yu Bai ◽  
Yu Pi ◽  
Walter J. J. Gerrits ◽  
Sonja de Vries ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Low dietary fiber intake has been shown to disturb the gut microbiome community, damage the mucus barrier, and promote pathogen susceptibility. However, little is known about the temporal response of the gut microbiome to dietary fiber deprivation and the recovery induced by dietary fiber inclusion in pigs. Objective In the present study, temporal responses of ileal and fecal microbiota to dietary fiber deprivation were profiled using an ileum cannulated growing pig model. In addition, the potential of dietary-resistant starch, β-glucan, and xylan to alleviate gut dysbiosis throughout the gastrointestinal tract, as well as its possible mechanisms were investigated. Methods Six cannulated growing pigs were fed a fiber deprivation diet for 35 days. Ileal digesta and feces were collected at days 0, 7, 21, and 35 for 16S rRNA sequencing and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) determination. Another twenty-four healthy growing pigs were assigned to one of four dietary treatments including (1) fiber-free diet, (2) resistant starch diet, (3) β-glucan diet, and (4) xylan diet. These twenty-four pigs were fed a corresponding diet for 35 days and slaughtered. Gut microbiome and SCFA concentration were profiled along the gastrointestinal tract. Results Dietary fiber deprivation-induced consistent microbiota extinction, mainly Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, and decreased SCFA concentrations in both ileum and feces. The community structure partially recovered at day 35 compared with baseline while SCFA concentrations remained low. Xylan supplementation alleviated gut dysbiosis by selectively promoting Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum within the large intestine. SCFA concentration increased significantly after xylan supplementation and exhibited a positive association with B. pseudocatenulatum abundance. An elevated abundance of xylan degradation-related enzyme genes was also observed in the gut microbiome after xylan supplementation. In vitro growth assay further verified the xylan utilization capacity of B. pseudocatenulatum. Conclusions Dietary fiber deprivation could induce probiotic extinction and loss of the SCFA production while potential pathogen was promoted. Xylan intervention could partially restore dietary fiber deprivation-induced gut dysbiosis through selectively promoting B. pseudocatenulatum and therefore normalizing the gut environment. These findings collectively provide evidence that dietary fiber-driven microbiota metabolism bridges the interplay between microbiome and gut health.


2020 ◽  
Vol 648 ◽  
pp. 19-38
Author(s):  
AI Azovsky ◽  
YA Mazei ◽  
MA Saburova ◽  
PV Sapozhnikov

Diversity and composition of benthic diatom algae and ciliates were studied at several beaches along the White and Barents seas: from highly exposed, reflective beaches with coarse-grained sands to sheltered, dissipative silty-sandy flats. For diatoms, the epipelic to epipsammic species abundance ratio was significantly correlated with the beach index and mean particle size, while neither α-diversity measures nor mean cell length were related to beach properties. In contrast, most of the characteristics of ciliate assemblages (diversity, total abundance and biomass, mean individual weight and percentage of karyorelictids) demonstrated a strong correlation to beach properties, remaining low at exposed beaches but increasing sharply in more sheltered conditions. β-diversity did not correlate with beach properties for either diatoms or ciliates. We suggest that wave action and sediment properties are the main drivers controlling the diversity and composition of the intertidal microbenthos. Diatoms and ciliates, however, demonstrated divergent response to these factors. Epipelic and epipsammic diatoms exhibited 2 different strategies to adapt to their environments and therefore were complementarily distributed along the environmental gradient and compensated for each other in diversity. Most ciliates demonstrated a similar mode of habitat selection but differed in their degree of tolerance. Euryporal (including mesoporal) species were relatively tolerant to wave action and therefore occurred under a wide range of beach conditions, though their abundance and diversity were highest in fine, relatively stable sediments on sheltered beaches, whereas the specific interstitial (i.e. genuine microporal) species were mostly restricted to only these habitats.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 5317
Author(s):  
Sonja Simić ◽  
Jovana Petrović ◽  
Dušan Rakić ◽  
Biljana Pajin ◽  
Ivana Lončarević ◽  
...  

Sugar beet pulp (SBP) is a by-product of the sugar industry in which the dietary fiber content ranges from 73% to 80%. Compared to cereal fibers mainly used in biscuit production, sugar beet fibers are gluten free and have a perfect ratio of 2/3 insoluble fiber. In this work, sugar beet pulp was extruded with corn grits (ratios of corn grits to sugar beet pulp in extrudates were 85:15, 70:30, and 55:45), and the obtained sugar beet pulp extrudates (SBPEs) were used for improving the nutritional quality of cookies. The wheat flour in cookies was replaced with SBPEs in the amount of 5, 10, and 15%. The influence of three factors (the percentage of sugar beet pulp in the SBPEs, the size of the SBPE particles, and the percentage of wheat flour substituted with SBPEs) and their interactions on the nutritional quality of cookies, as well as their physical and sensory characteristics are examined using the Box–Behnken experimental design. The addition of extruded sugar beet pulp (SBPEs) significantly increased the amount of total dietary fiber and mineral matter of cookies. On the whole, the addition of SBPEs increased cookie hardness, but the hardness decreased with an increase in extrudate particle size. Sensory characteristics (except for the taste) were the most influenced by extrudate particle size.


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