Dynamic changes of inulin utilization associated with longitudinal development of gut microbiota

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Nutritional Science
• Animal Science

Background:

• Inulin, a fermentable polysaccharide, is a beneficial dietary supplement.
• Its utilization by gut microbiota changes dynamically during host development.
• Understanding this dynamic is crucial for optimizing inulin's health benefits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how inulin utilization changes during gut microbiota development in pigs.
• To explore the association between inulin utilization and gut microbiota composition and function.
• To analyze these changes longitudinally in Chinese Jinhua native pigs.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal fecal sample collection at pre- and post-weaning stages.
• Targeted metabolomics to measure fecal metabolites.
• In vitro simulated fermentation assays.
• 16S rRNA gene sequencing for gut microbiome analysis.

Main Results:

• Fecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations and inulin utilization increased with piglet development.
• Gut microbial diversity and composition significantly altered over time.
• Abundances of carbohydrate metabolism pathways and specific bacteria (Bifidobacterium, Roseburia, Faecalibacterium, Enterococcus) increased and correlated with SCFA production.

Conclusions:

• Inulin's fermentability and SCFA production are enhanced by gut microbiota maturation.
• Microbial community shifts, particularly in carbohydrate metabolism, drive these changes.
• Findings provide insights into inulin's role during gut development and its interaction with the microbiome.