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High arabinoxylan fine structure specificity to gut bacteria driven by corn genotypes but not environment
Xiaowei Zhang1, Jianhua Xie2, Tingting Chen2
1Institute of Food and Nutraceutical Science, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China; Whistler Center for Carbohydrate Research and Department of Food Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
Corn bran arabinoxylan (CAX) structure significantly impacts gut bacteria and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. Minor structural variations in CAX led to genotype-specific microbial shifts and SCFA profiles in human gut fermentation.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Nutrition Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Gut bacteria exhibit varied abilities in utilizing dietary fibers.
- The precise alignment of fiber structure to specific bacterial species remains unclear.
- Understanding these interactions is crucial for gut health and nutrition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how subtle structural differences in corn bran arabinoxylan (CAX), influenced by genotype and environment, affect the human gut microbiota.
- To determine the specificity of CAX structure in influencing gut bacteria and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production.
Main Methods:
- Extraction of CAXs from four corn genotypes across three growing years.
- In vitro fecal fermentation experiments using the extracted CAXs.
- Analysis of CAX structural components (arabinose/xylose ratio, galactose, glucuronic acid) and resulting SCFA profiles (acetate, propionate, butyrate).
Main Results:
- CAXs displayed genotype-specific variations in fine structure, including arabinose/xylose ratio and side-chain sugars.
- In vitro fermentation showed genotype-specific differences in acetate, propionate, butyrate, and total SCFA production.
- Gut microbiota composition and SCFA profiles shifted in a manner dependent on the specific CAX genotype used.
Conclusions:
- Dietary fiber structure exhibits high specificity in its utilization by gut bacteria.
- CAX structure is a key determinant of SCFA production by the human gut microbiota.
- Genotype-driven variations in CAX structure significantly influence gut microbial fermentation outcomes.
