Prebiotic Modification of Gut Microbiota

Prebiotics are the compounds within the food. They can induce the growth or activity of beneficial bacteria, such as bacteria and fungi, and alter the composition of organisms in the gut microbiome in the gastrointestinal tract. Creative Biolabs offers high-quality service of prebiotic modification of gut microbiota to facilitate your microbe research.

Prebiotic

• Mechanism of action
  Fermentation is the main mechanism of action by which prebiotics are used by beneficial bacteria in the colon. Both Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus are bacterial populations. The bifidobacterial genome contains many genes that encode for carbohydrate-modifying enzymes as well as genes that encode for carbohydrate uptake proteins. These genes indicate that Bifidobacteria contain specific metabolic pathways specialized for the fermentation and metabolism of plant-derived oligosaccharides, or prebiotics. These pathways involve in Bifidobacteria ultimately produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which have diverse physiological roles in body functions.

Fig.1 Mechanisms of action of prebiotics. (Fong, 2020)

• Source
  Prebiotic sources must be proven to confer a benefit to the host to be classified as a prebiotic.
• Endogenous
  Human breast milk is an endogenous source of prebiotics in humans, which contains oligosaccharides structurally similar to galactooligosaccharides (GOS), referred to as human milk oligosaccharides (HOS). HOS can increase the Bifidobacteria bacterial population in breastfed infants, and strengthen the infant immune system. Furthermore, HOS help establish a healthy intestinal microbiota composition in newborns.
• Exogenous
  Prebiotics which are a type of indigestible carbohydrate compounds can be classified as dietary fiber. Prebiotic fiber may vary according to the food. For example, oats and barley have high amounts of beta-glucans, seeds contain gums, onions and Jerusalem artichokes are rich in inulin and oligofructose.

Prebiotics vs Probiotics

Prebiotic Modification of Gut Microbiota

Prebiotics can be used to alter the intestinal microbiota. Prebiotic compounds include fructooligosaccharides (FOS), xylooligosaccharides (XOS), GOS, trans-galactooligosaccharides (Trans-GOS), inulin, lactulose, and fructans. Among these, FOS and GOS have been the main compounds investigated as prebiotics. Functions of prebiotics include but are not limited to:

• Stimulate beneficial indigenous gut bacteria
• Produce short-chain fatty acids
• Increase fecal pH, stool frequency, and weight
• Reduce the activity of nitroreductase and β-glucuronidase
• Decrease the fecal concentration of secondary bile acid - lithocholic acid
• Modulate the immune response
• Modify gene expression in bacterial cells in the cecum, colon, and feces
• Enhance absorption of micronutrients in the colon
• Modulate xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes

Besides, β (1-4) GOS, lactulose, and FOS have the potential role in the prevention of colorectal cancer.

Creative Biolabs provides one-stop services for prebiotic modification of gut microbiota to meet the need of your microbe project. For more information on Gut Microbiota Engineering Service, please feel free to contact us for further discussion.

References

1. Fong, W.; et al. Gut microbiota modulation: a novel strategy for prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer. Oncogene. 2020, 4925-4943.
2. Floch, M. H.; et al. Modification of the gut microbiota to promote human health. Clinical Insights: Probiotics, Prebiotics and Gut Health. 2014, 15-34.

For Research Use Only | Not For Clinical Use