Effects of BARLEYmax and high-β-glucan barley line on short-chain fatty acids production and microbiota from the cecum to the distal colon in rats

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218118
• Publication Date: 2019-06-11T17:29:37Z
• Authors: Seiichiro Aoe; Chiemi Yamanaka; Miki Fuwa; Taiga Tamiya; Yasunori Nakayama; Takanori Miyoshi; Eiichi Kitazono
• Keywords: Cecum; Short-chain fatty acid

We investigated whether supplementation with the barley line BARLEYmax (Tantangara; BM), which contains three fermentable fibers (fructan, β-glucan, and resistant starch), modifies microbiota in cecal distal colonic digesta addition to short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production more favorably than a high-β-glucan (BG012; BG). Male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups that fed an AIN-93G-based diet contained 5% fiber provided by cellulose (control), BM or BG. Four weeks after starting respective diets, animals sacrificed from cecum, proximal colon collected SCFA concentrations quantified. Microbiota analyzed 16S rRNA sequencing. The of acetate n-butyrate significantly higher BG control group, whereas concentration total SCFAs was only group group. abundance Bacteroidetes In contrast, Firmicutes lower These results indicated increased digesta. changes might have been caused fructan starch β-glucan. conclusion, reached modified microbiota, leading increase digesta, effectively compared (BG).