In vitro fermentation characteristics of novel fibers, coconut endosperm fiber and chicory pulp, using canine fecal inoculum.
The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of in vitro fermentation of coconut endosperm fiber (CEF), chicory pulp (CHP), and selective blends of these substrates on SCFA production and changes in microbiota using canine fecal inocula. A total of 6 individual substrates, including short-chain fructooligosaccharide (scFOS; a well-established prebiotic source), pectin (PEC; used as a positive control), pelletized cellulose (PC; used as a negative control), beet pulp (BP; considered the gold standard fiber source in pet foods), CEF, and CHP, and 3 CEF:CHP blends (75:25% CEF:CHP [B1], 50:50% CEF:CHP [B2], and 25:75% CEF:CHP [B3]) were tested. Triplicate samples of each substrate were fermented for 0, 8, and 16 h after inoculation. A significant substrate × time interaction (P < 0.05) was observed for pH change and acetate, propionate, butyrate, and total SCFA concentrations. After 8 and 16 h, pH change was greatest for scFOS (-2.0 and -3.0, respectively) and smallest for PC (0.0 and -0.1, respectively). After 16 h, CEF had a greater butyrate concentration than CHP and all the CEF:CHP blends and it was not different than PEC. The substrate × time interaction was significant for bifidobacteria (P < 0.05) and lactobacilli (P < 0.05). After 8 h, bifidobacteria was greatest for BP and lowest for PC (12.7 and 10.0 log10 cfu/tube, respectively). After 16 h, PC had the lowest and scFOS had the greatest bifidobacteria (6.7 and 13.3 log10 cfu/tube, respectively). In general, CEF, CHP, and their blends had similar bifidobacteria populations after 8 and 16 h of fermentation when compared with BP and scFOS. After 16 h, lactobacilli populations were greatest for B1, B2, B3, BP, and scFOS, intermediate for PEC, and lowest for PC (P < 0.05). Overall, our data suggest that CEF had a butyrogenic effect and that CEF, CHP, and their blends had similar bifidobacteria and lactobacilli populations as popular prebiotic and fiber substrates. Future research should investigate the effects of CEF, CHP, and their blends on gastrointestinal health and fecal quality in dogs.
Department of Animal Sciences mgodoy2@illinois.edu.
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MR
de Godoy
The Nutro Company, Franklin, TN 37067.
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Y
Mitsuhashi
Department of Animal Sciences.
L L
LL
Bauer
Department of Animal Sciences Division of Nutritional Sciences Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801.
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Fahey
The Nutro Company, Franklin, TN 37067.
P R
PR
Buff
Department of Animal Sciences Division of Nutritional Sciences Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801.
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KS
Swanson
D000818:Animals; D027461:Beta vulgaris / Q000378:metabolism; D001644:Bifidobacterium; D002482:Cellulose / Q000378:metabolism; D018651:Cichorium intybus; D003059:Cocos; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000032:analysis*; D004285:Dogs / Q000382:microbiology*; D056625:Endosperm / Q000737:chemistry*; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D005285:Fermentation; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000378:metabolism; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D010368:Pectins; D011422:Propionates
D004043:Dietary Fiber; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D011422:Propionates; D010368:Pectins; D002482:Cellulose
chicory pulp; coconut endosperm fiber; dog; fermentation; in vitro; microbiota