Galactooligosaccharide (GOS) Reduces Branched Short-Chain Fatty Acids, Ammonium, and pH in a Short-Term Colonic Fermentation Model

Prebiotics beneficially affect the gut microbiome. Bimuno®, a prebiotic supplement containing galactooligosaccharides (GOS), has multiple demonstrated effects. Using short-term colonic incubations, influence of GOS on microbiota three healthy human adults was evaluated. Colonic reactors inoculated with fecal samples were untreated (blank) or supplemented GOS. pH, gas pressure, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), lactic acid, branched SCFAs, ammonium, and microbial community composition evaluated at 0 h, 6 24 48 h. pH decreased pressure increased (+29.01 kPa) treatment versus blank. Total SCFA (+22.4 mM), acetate (+14.1 propionate (+5.5 butyrate (+5.8 mM) higher for than Acetate production highest earlier in experiment, while between h With GOS, acid (+14.4 followed by apparent consumption. Levels SCFAs ammonium low reduced blank (respectively, −2.1 mM −256.0 mg/L). significantly relative abundance Bifidobacterium longum (LDA = 4; p 0.006), absolute Bifidobacteriaceae (p < 0.001), Lactobacillaceae 0.05), adolescentis 4.5; ruminantium (LDA= 3.2; 0.01). This vitro model potential as supplementation resulted beneficial bacteria, SCFA, ammonium.