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Polysaccharides and polyphenols derived from Australian seaweeds enhance microbial abundance and short chain fatty acid production in a simulated gut-model
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Abstract
Background: Diet is known to affect the composition of the human gut microbiota and bacterial production of short chain fatty acids (SCFA), which impacts the overall health of the host.
Whole seaweeds (WH) contain prebiotic components such as polysaccharides (PS) and polyphenols (PP) that can be digested by gut bacteria. Method: WH, PS and PP extracts from Phyllospora comosa, Ecklonia radiata and Ulva ohnoi, harvested in Australia, were assessed for their potential prebiotic activities using an in vitro model with human faecal inoculum. The relative abundance of bacteria was determined by 16S rRNA sequencing. SCFA were quantified by gas chromatography. Results: After 24 hr, compared to the inulin (INU) and epigallocatechingallate (EGCG) controls,
WH, PS and PP extracts significantly enhanced the abundance of bacterial taxa positively associated with SCFA production, microbiota homeostasis, gut mucosal barrier regulation,
immunity and anti-inflammatory effects. These included Lactobacillales, Bifidobacteriaceae, Eggerthellaceae, Faecalibacteria, Blautia and Barnesiella. The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio,
as well as species diversity and richness were increased by all seaweed extracts. Seaweeds increased total and individual SCFA production up to three-fold, particularly butyrate, acetate
and propionate. Conclusions: Seaweeds and their extracts may have potential as prebiotic functional foods to maintain normal gut function and alleviate dysbiosis.