The Consumption of Galactomannan Effervescent Drinks made from Coconut Pulp Waste and Colonic Microbiota in Wistar Rats
The consumption of prebiotics is known to affect the balance of gut microbiota. The purpose of this study was to explore how a galactomannan-rich effervescent drink can affect the population of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, E. coli, and the concentration of short-chain fatty acids in the cecum of rats. Twenty-eight male Wistar rats (aged 2 months) were divided equally into 7 groups and treated orally each day for 15 days with 2 mL effervescent drinks with increasing levels of prebiotic galactomannan. The dosage of 500 mg galactomannan increased the growth of Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. with inhibition of the growth of E.coli with increased formation of short-chain fatty acids such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate in the cecum of rats.