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Updated: Jun 18, 2026
An In Vitro Batch-culture Model to Estimate the Effects of Interventional Regimens on Human Fecal Microbiota
Published on: July 31, 2019
In vitro evaluation of the fermentation properties and potential prebiotic activity of Agave fructans
E Gomez1, K M Tuohy, G R Gibson
1Gastroenterology Unit, National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico city, Mexico.
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.
