Potential roles of 1,5-anhydro-D-fructose in modulating gut microbiome in mice

The gut microbiota has tremendous potential to affect the host's health, in part by synthesizing vitamins and generating nutrients from food that is otherwise indigestible by the host. 1,5-Anhydro-D-fructose (1,5-AF) is a monosaccharide with a wide range of bioactive potentials, including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial effects. Based on its potential benefits and minimal toxicity, it is anticipated that 1,5-AF will be used as a dietary supplement to support general health. However, the effects of 1,5-AF on the gut microbiota are yet to be clarified. Here, using an unbiased metagenomic approach, we profiled the bacterial taxa and functional genes in the caecal microbiota of mice fed a diet containing either 2% 1,5-AF or a reference sweetener. Supplementation with 1,5-AF altered the composition of the gut microbiota, enriching the proportion of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. 1,5-AF also altered the metabolomic profile of the gut microbiota, enriching genes associated with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide biosynthesis. These findings support the potential benefits of 1,5-AF, but further studies are required to clarify the impact of 1,5-AF on health and disease.