Fermentability of various fiber sources by human fecal bacteria in vitro

Certain beneficial effects of fiber in the human diet may be mediated by short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced during anaerobic fermentation in the colon. Two studies, both involving in vitro incubations with human fecal bacteria as inoculum, were conducted to assess fermentation of various fiber sources and to quantitate the SCFAs produced. In experiment 1, substrate fermentability based on total SCFA production ranked as follows: citrus pectin greater than soy fiber greater than sugarbeet fiber greater than pea fiber greater than oat fiber. Fermentation of soy fiber led to higher proportions of propionate and butyrate than did fermentation of other substrates. In experiment 2, fermentation of gum arabic, a mixture of arabic and guar, and apple pectin resulted in greater SCFA production than did fermentation of either oat fiber or corn bran. Fermentation of gums led to more propionate and butyrate production than did that of apple pectin. It may be possible to select fiber sources capable of supporting stipulated amounts of both total and individual SCFA production in the human colon.