title: Effects of Cocoa Husk Feeding on the Composition of Swine Intestinal Microbiota.
abstract: A two-diet/two-period change over experiment was performed to investigate the effects of cocoa husks, as a source of dietary fiber and polyphenols, on pig intestinal microbial composition. Six pigs were fed a conventional cereal-based diet or a diet obtained by substitution of 7.5% of the conventional diet with cocoa husks for 3 weeks. Experimental diets were isoproteic and isoenergetic. At the end of each 3 week testing period, samples of fresh feces were collected and analyzed for microbial composition by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Cocoa husks did not affect feed intake, weight gain, and feed efficiency. Analysis of fecal microbial populations, grouped by phyla, showed a decrease of Firmicutes and an increase of Bacteroidetes in cocoa husk-fed pigs. Particularly, cocoa husks reduced fecal populations of the Lactobacillus-Enterococcus group and Clostridium histolyticum and increased the Bacteroides-Prevotella group and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, suggesting a potential for cocoa husks in the improvement of intestinal microbial balance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and ‡Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences, University of Milan , via G. Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Damiano
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Magistrelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and ‡Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences, University of Milan , via G. Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zanchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and ‡Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences, University of Milan , via G. Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Malagutti
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and ‡Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences, University of Milan , via G. Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Galassi
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and ‡Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences, University of Milan , via G. Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Enrica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Canzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and ‡Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences, University of Milan , via G. Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rosi
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002099:Cacao / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D000069196:Gastrointestinal Microbiome; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology*; D013552:Swine / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology
keywords: cocoa husks; intestinal microbiota; pigs; polyphenols