Pectin and homogalacturonan with small molecular mass modulate microbial community and generate high SCFAs via in vitro gut fermentation. (1st October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhao, Yuanyuan; Bi, Jinfeng; Yi, Jianyong; Wu, Xinye; Ma, Youchuan; Li, Ruiping
• Is Part Of: Carbohydrate polymers. Volume 269(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-10-01
• Subjects: Pectin -- Homogalacturonan -- Molecular weight -- Gut microbiota -- Short chain fatty acids -- Structure-function relationship; Polysaccharides -- Periodicals; Polysaccharides -- Periodicals; Polysaccharides -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 547.78
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2021.118326
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0144-8617

Abstract

Abstract: The intestinal fermentability of pectic polysaccharides is largely determined by its molecular size. In this study, fermentation properties of enzymatic-modified apple pectin (AP) and homogalacturonans (HG) with high, medium and low molecular weight (Mw) were evaluated by in vitro fermentation model, and their structural changes were also investigated. Results showed that Mw, monosaccharide contents and molecular linearity of the AP hydrolysates were reduced after microbial degradation. On the other hand, culture media supplemented with low-Mw AP (60, 300 g/mol) and low-Mw HG (861 g/mol) exhibited lower pH (5.1 and 5.7, respectively) and produced higher total short-chain fatty acid contents (SCFA, 230.40 mmol/L and 187.19 mmol/L, respectively). However, reduced trends in abundance of the pectinolytic microorganisms Faecalibacterium and Eubacterium were showed as Mw of the HG decreased, whereas growth of the SCFA-producer genera Bifidobaacterium, Megasphaera and Allisonella were improved. This work confirmed that low-Mw pectin and homogalacturonan generated more beneficial metabolites, developing structure-microbiota-gut health relationship. Highlights: Fermentability of pectin and HG region with different Mw were evaluated. Natural apple pectin exhibited better fermentability than pure HG region. Pectin and HG region with smaller Mw generated higher SCFAs. Low-Mw HG increased Bifidobacterium growth but slightly decreased α-diversity. SCFA-generating genera were negatively related to Mw.