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BACKGROUND: Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) has a long history of traditional use. It contains various alkaloids and polyphenols. The properties of kratom's alkaloids have been well‐documented. However, the property of kratom's polyphenols in water‐soluble phase have been less frequently reported. This study assessed the effects of water‐soluble Mitragyna speciosa (kratom) extract (MSE) on gut microbiota and their metabolite production in fecal batch culture. RESULTS: The water‐soluble kratom extract (MSE0) and the water‐soluble kratom extract after partial sugar removal (MSE50) both contained polyphenols, with total phenolic levels of 2037.91 ± 51.13 and 3997.95 ± 27.90 mg GAE/g extract, respectively and total flavonoids of 81.10 ± 1.00 and 84.60 ± 1.43 mg CEQ/g extract. The gut microbiota in fecal batch culture was identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing at 0 and 24 h of fermentation. After fermentation, MSE50 stimulated the growth of Bifidobacterium more than MSE0. MSE0 gave the highest total fatty acids level among the treatments. The phenolic metabolites produced by some intestinal microbiota during fecal fermentation at 24 h were analyzed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The major metabolite of biotransformation of both water‐soluble MSEs by intestinal microbiota was pyrocatechol (9.85–11.53%). CONCLUSION: The water‐soluble MSEs and their produced metabolites could potentially be used as ingredients for functional and medicinal food production that supports specific gut microbiota. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phallus atrovolvatus, a wild edible mushroom, has attracted increasing interest for consumption due to its unique taste and beneficial health benefits. This study determined the chemical components in the so-called fruiting body during the egg and mature stages and investigated its gut microbiota-modulating activities. The egg stage contained higher total carbohydrates, dietary fiber, glucans, ash, and fat, while the total protein content was lower than in the mature stage. Two consumption forms, including cooked mushrooms and a mushroom aqueous extract from both stages, were used in this study. An in vitro gut fermentation was performed for 24 h to assess gut microbiota regulation. All mushroom-supplemented fermentations increased short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production compared to the blank control. Furthermore, all mushroom supplementations promoted the growth of Bifidobacterium and Streptococcus. Samples from the mature stage increased the relative abundance of Clostridium sensu stricto 1, while those from the egg stage increased the Bacteroides group. The inhibition of harmful bacteria, including Escherichia-Shigella, Klebsiella, and Veillonella, was only observed for the mature body. Our findings demonstrate that P. atrovolvatus exhibits potential benefits on gut health by promoting SCFA production and the growth of beneficial bacteria, with the mature stage demonstrating superior effects compared to the egg stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesona chinensis, in Thai called Chao Kuay and in Chinese Hsian-tsao, belongs to the Lamiaceae family. This herbal plant grows widely in Southern China, Taiwan (China), Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand. The Mesona plant is used to make functional products such as drinks and soft textured sweet treats, and also traditional medicine, to treat heat stroke, high blood pressure, heart attack, high blood sugar, hepatic diseases, colon diseases, inflammatory conditions, and to alleviate myalgia. The proximate composition of M. chinensis is a mixture of protein, fat, fiber, ash, and minerals. The main biological compounds in M. chinensis extracts are polysaccharides, terpenoids, flavonoids, and polyphenols, with wide-ranging pharmacological properties including antioxidant, antidiabetic, antilipidemic, carcinoma-inhibitory, renal-protective, antihypertensive, DNA damage-protective, and anti-inflammatory effects. This review investigated the proximate composition, polysaccharide type, and pharmacological properties of M. chinensis extracts. Phytochemical properties enhance the actions of the gut microbiota and improve health benefits. This review assessed the functional and medicinal activities of M. chinensis extracts. Future studies should further elucidate the in vitro/in vivo mechanisms of this plant extract and its impact on gut health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the effect of Gracilaria fisheri oligosaccharides (GFO) on inflammation and colonic epithelial barrier dysfunction in colitis mice. Methods: The animals were treated by oral gavage with distilled water, 1 000 mg/kg inulin, 100, 500, or 1 000 mg/kg GFO for 14 d, or treated with 50 mg/kg mesalamine for 5 d after colitis induction (on day 10). Histopathology, inflammatory cytokines, colonic permeability, and tight junction proteins were investigated by hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemical staining, Ussing chamber technique, and Western blotting assays, respectively. Results: GFO ameliorated histological damage in colitis mice when compared to untreated colitis mice. Treatments with 100, 500, and 1 000 mg/kg GFO reduced TNF-α expression, while IL-1β was significantly reduced in colitis mice treated with 500 and 1 000 mg/kg. Compared to untreated colitis mice, GFO increased transepithelial electrical resistance, reduced fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran paracellular flux, and modulated tight junction proteins (occludin and claudin 2) in colitis mice. Conclusions: GFO has anti-inflammatory activity and could modulate colonic epithelial barrier dysfunction in acetic acid-induced colitis mice. Furthermore, GFO could modulate the expression of tight junction proteins that play important roles in colonic barrier function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent studies have demonstrated that chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with dysbiotic gut microbiota. Therefore, the gut microbiota may be used as a biomarker and therapeutic agent to improve the health of CKD patients. Objective: To study the probiotic selectivity of isomalto-oligosaccharide (IMO) produced from tapioca starch and its application in a novel nutritional formula developed for hemodialysis patients. Methods: IMO was produced from tapioca starch in a pilot-scale reactor. The selectivity of IMO for probiotic strains was studied. Among six probiotic strains tested, two probiotic strains were selected for the development of a nutritionally-complete formula for CKD patients. The sensory attributes, probiotic survival and decapsulation, and the microbiological quality of the formula were evaluated. Results: IMO showed prebiotic properties by promoting the growth of pure cultures of the probiotics tested. The IMO powder and the commercial probiotics, Lactobacillus paracasei and Bifidobacterium animalis were used as ingredients to develop a nutritional formula for CKD patient with an energy distribution from protein:carbohydrate:fat of 18.43:35.29:43.27 and a total energy per 80 g serving of 400 kcal. It was found that 89.47% of the encapsulated probiotics in the formula survived gastrointestinal tract conditions and 96.90% of the probiotics were released after exposure to phosphate-buffered saline (pH 7.2) for 6 h. The sensory evaluation of the nutritional product showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) in its viscosity, taste, sweetness, saltiness and overall characteristics compared to a commercial product (Nepro®).The product also met relevant standards for the microbial quality of food products containing probiotics. Conclusion: The nutritionally complete formula developed, fortified with a synbiotic combination of IMO and probiotics successfully met the requirements of the WHO and the Thai FDA regulation. This novel formula . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This is the first report of the evaluation of suitability for consumption of dragon fruit oligosaccharide (DFO) and its efficacy on gut microbiota modulation and in boosting the gut immune response in rats. The DFO produced significantly increased faecal bifidobacteria and lactobacilli but decreased bacteroides and clostridia. The DFO also showed immune‐response boosting properties by significantly increasing the plasma immunoglobulin A and G concentrations. In addition, it was confirmed by blood chemistry analysis and histology of the colon of the rats that DFO is suitable for the consumption. These results suggest that DFO is a potentially novel source of prebiotic ingredients with probiotic‐stimulation and immune boosting properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The freshwater crustacean Daphnia is widely used as live food for ornamental fish. To increase production, food supplementations are required when culturing Daphnia. Here, we aimed to clarify the effects of plant oligosaccharides derived from dragon fruit (DFO) on growth rate, egg production, number of first clutch juveniles and survival of Daphnia supplemented with five different concentrations of DFO, that is 0, 1, 3, 9, 27 mg/L. The results showed the growth and reproduction of Daphnia were enhanced when supplemented with DFO. Growth rate of Daphnia supplemented with 9 mg/L DFO was the highest among all treatments. The time that Daphnia produced the first clutch eggs was shorter in high concentration of DFO (3, 9, 27 mg/L). The number of juveniles in the first clutch increased in treatments of higher concentration of DFO (3, 9, 27 mg/L). These results suggest that plant oligosaccharides derived from dragon fruit increase growth and fecundity of Daphnia. Survival rates of Daphnia were 100% except for the treatment supplemented with 27 mg/L of DFO in which the survival rate was reduced to 87%. To our knowledge, this is the first functional evidence demonstrating that oligosaccharides derived from dragon fruit enhance growth and fecundity of Daphnia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]