In vitro evaluation of the fermentation properties and potential prebiotic activity of Agave fructans

Gomez, E., Tuohy, K.M., Gibson, G.R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0566-0476, Klinder, A. and Costabile, A. (2010) In vitro evaluation of the fermentation properties and potential prebiotic activity of Agave fructans. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 108 (6). pp. 2114-2121. ISSN 1364-5072 doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2009.04617.x

Abstract/Summary

Aims: This study was carried out to evaluate in vitro the fermentation properties and the potential prebiotic activity of Agave-fructans extracted from Agave tequilana (Predilife). Methods and Results: Five different commercial prebiotics were compared using 24-h pH-controlled anaerobic batch cultures inoculated with human faecal slurries. Measurement of prebiotic efficacy was obtained by comparing bacterial changes, and the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) was also determined. Effects upon major groups of the microbiota were monitored over 24 h incubations by fluorescence in situ hybridization. SCFA were measured by HPLC. Fermentation of the Agave fructans (Predilife) resulted in a large increase in numbers of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. Conclusions: Under the in vitro conditions used, this study has shown the differential impact of Predilife on the microbial ecology of the human gut. Significance and Impact of the Study: This is the first study reporting of a potential prebiotic mode of activity for Agave fructans investigated which significantly increased populations of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli compared to cellulose used as a control.