In vitro batch fermentation of (un)saturated homogalacturonan oligosaccharides

Pectin, predominantly present within plant cell walls, is a dietary fiber that potentially induces distinct health effects depending on its molecular structure. Such structure-dependent health effects of pectin-derived galacturonic acid oligosaccharides (GalA-OS) are yet largely unknown. This study describes the influence of methyl-esterification and ∆4,5-unsaturation of GalA-OS through defined sets of GalA-OS made from pectin using defined pectinases, on the fermentability by individual fecal inocula. The metabolite production, OS utilization, quantity and size, methyl-esterification and saturation of remaining GalA-OS were monitored during the fermentation of GalA-OS. Fermentation of all GalA-OS predominantly induced the production of acetate, butyrate and propionate. Metabolization of unsaturated GalA-OS (uGalA-OS) significantly increased butyrate formation compared to saturated GalA-OS (satGalA-OS), while satGalA-OS significantly increased propionate formation. Absence of methyl-esters within GalA-OS improved substrate metabolization during the first 18 h of fermentation (99 %) compared to their esterified analogues (51 %). Furthermore, HPAEC and HILIC-LC-MS revealed accumulation of specific methyl-esterified GalA-OS, confirming that methyl-esterification delays fermentation. Fermentation of structurally distinct GalA-OS results in donor specific microbiota composition with uGalA-OS specifically stimulating the butyrate-producer Clostridium Butyricum. This study concludes that GalA-OS fermentation induces highly structure-dependent changes in the gut microbiota, further expanding their potential use as prebiotics.