Iron deficiency is the most prevalent nutrient deficiency in the world, leading to long-term developmental and health consequences in populations at risk. Also known as prebiotics, non-digestible oligosaccharides such as fructooligosaccharide (FOS), inulin, galactooligosaccharide (GOS) and lactulose resist digestion by gastric acid and pancreatic enzymes in vivo, but are preferentially fermented by beneficial intestinal bacteria once they reach the colon. Prebiotics have been shown to increase the absorption of minerals such as iron from diets, but results from studies reported in the literature at times are contradictory, and mechanisms involved are still unclear. A better understanding of the role of FOS and other prebiotics in iron absorption may lead to new dietary modification strategies to increase intake of iron absorption enhancers in plant-based diets. The objectives of this study were therefore to determine the effects of prolonged FOS, as well as Synergy 1 (a combination of long- and short-chain FOS), inulin, GOS and lactulose supplementation on iron status of anemic rats; and to assess the enhancing effects of FOS on iron absorption and elucidate the regulatory mechanism involved using the Caco-2 cell culture model. In our animal studies, male Sprague-Dawley rats were first fed a low-iron diet for 14 days prior to prebiotics supplementation to achieve an iron-deficient status. Rats receiving the low-iron diet (12 ppm Fe) showed significantly lower non-heme iron concentrations in liver, spleen and kidney, as well as lower hemoglobin level than rats receiving a normal diet (45 ppm Fe), confirming iron-deficiency anemia. At the onset of the feeding trials, anemic rats were further divided into groups with or without supplementation of prebiotics. Prebiotics were provided to the rats by dissolving in water at 5% (w/v). Rats were kept on their respective test diets for 28 or 35 days, and all had free access to food and water during the feeding trials. The results showed significantly higher hemoglobin and non-heme iron levels in anemic rats with FOS or GOS supplementation, suggesting that both FOS and GOS could have positive effects on the iron status of anemic subjects with a low-iron intake. Rat colon contents also showed significant changes in short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations, presumably due to fermentation of prebiotics by intestinal microflora. Changes in the expression of Duodenal cytochrome b (Dcytb) and Divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT-1) in Caco-2 cells were measured by Western Blot and Real Time PCR. Our results confirmed that Caco-2 cells 14 days post confluence provided a stable research model for gene expression studies related to iron absorption. At low iron level, especially with FOS or SCFA supplementation, Dcytb and DMT-1 expression levels were increased in Caco-2 cells. While at high iron level, expression of Dcytb or DMT-1 was mostly down-regulated. Effects of SCFA were much more pronounced than FOS at different iron concentrations, suggesting that any effects of dietary FOS on improving iron status would require fermentation by the intestinal microflora. Further studies on other prebiotics (e.g., GOS and lactulose) and different combinations of SCFA are warranted.

No description available.

Development of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is preceded by prediabetes, which is a metabolically "atypical" state associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, overweight and obesity, lack of exercise, and detrimental changes to the gut microbiome. Dietary intake and exercise are modifiable lifestyle factors for reducing T2D risk; however, several questions remain unanswered related to the efficacy and role of prebiotics and exercise, and their respective influences on gut microbiome composition, intestinal permeability, insulin sensitivity and metabolic flexibility. Sedentary to recreationally active overweight and obese adults 40-75 years old at-risk for T2D were recruited (n=22) and randomized to either supplementation with inulin, a prebiotic dietary fiber, (10g/d) or maltodextrin while consuming a controlled diet for six weeks. At baseline and week 6, participants completed a stool collection, a 4-sugar probe test, an intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT), and high-fat meal challenge with skeletal muscle biopsies to evaluate changes in the gut microbiome composition, intestinal permeability, insulin sensitivity and metabolic flexibility, respectively. There were no baseline group differences (all p>0.05). Following the intervention, Bifidobacteria operational taxonomic units increased in the intervention group ([placebo: Δ 9.5 ± 27.2 vs inulin: 96.3 ± 35.5][p=0.03]). There were no other group differences over time in any other outcome variables with the exception of changes in metabolic flexibility. Secondarily, a systematic review of literature was conducted to determine the influence of exercise engagement on gut microbiome composition. Overall, exercise interventions appeared to diversify taxa within the Firmicutes phylum, and specifically in several taxa associated with butyrate production and gut barrier function. Due to unclear risk of bias in all studies and low quality of evidence, additional research is needed using well- designed trials. In summary, the respective influences of prebiotics and exercise on human gut microbiome composition and their subsequent effects on metabolic function and disease risk are not well understood. / PHD

Submitted in partial fulfillment for the Degree of Master of Applied Sciences in Biotechnology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016. / Prebiotics are defined as non-digestible oligosaccharides (NDOs) or polysaccharides (NDPs), which promote the growth of beneficial lactic acid bacteria in the colon. Algae are rich in polysaccharides and can be exploited as prebiotics for functional food ingredients to improve human and animal health. Currently, inulin is the most widely used ingredient in the prebiotics market, which is produced from live plants and requires expensive production processing. There is a vast repository of marine life with algae as a major source of nutrients. Therefore, this study provides an alternative source for prebiotic production and examines marine and freshwater algae that promote the growth of two strains of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subs. (Lactobacillus lactis and Lactobacillus bulgaricus) and one strain of Bifidobacterium spp. (Bifidobacterium longum). Monosaccharides of the oligosaccharide fraction of marine and freshwater algal extracts were investigated with the use of thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after acidic hydrolysis of cell matrix polysaccharides. A total of fifty-five marine and freshwater aqueous algal extracts were assessed for their effect on the growth of L. lactis, B. longum and L. bulgaricus over a 96 hour period. Relative to the negative control, 34.5% algal extracts showed improved growth on one or more probiotic bacteria. The optimum time for maximum bacterial growth was noted at 48 h for all the tested aqueous algal extracts. Five marine and freshwater algal cultures (Spirulina platensis, Chlorococcum spp., Dunaliella salina, Scenedesmus magnus, Chlorella spp. and algal extract no. 48) from various aquatic environments in Kwa-Zulu Natal showed the best growth dynamics and demonstrated the greatest potential as sources of biomass for prebiotic production. These algal extracts were able to significantly increase the growth of at least one of the three probiotic bacteria (p < 0.05). Aqueous algal extract from S. platensis was regarded as the best algal source for prebiotics as it demonstrated a greater stimulatory effect on the growth of all three probiotic bacteria (L. lactis, B. longum and L. bulgaricus) compared to tested aqueous algal extracts and the inulin used as a positive control. The results obtained by HPLC for characterization confirmed TLC data, as xylose and galactose were detected by both chromatograms. These data indicated that xylose and galactose were present in aqueous algal extracts from S. magnus and S. platensis and galactose in aqueous algal extract no. 48. Xylose was most abundant in aqueous algal extracts from S. platensis (3mg/ml) and S. magnus (2.3mg/ml). In conclusion aqueous algal extracts from S. platensis, Chlorococcum, D. salina, S. magnus, Chlorella and algal extract no. 48 are potential sources for prebiotic production. Spirulina platensis extract was regarded as the best algal source. Xyose and galactose characterized by HPLC in algal extracts make up oligosaccharides that function as prebiotic compounds for stimulation of probiotic bacteria. There is a great scope for successful production of prebiotics from algal sources in South Africa. / M

Through the implementation of in vivo feeding trials, the efficacy of three wheat gluten (WG) products, vital (Amytex®), hydrolysed (Merripro®) and soluble hydrolysed (Solpro®) wheat gluten as replacement of soy protein concentrate, and scFOS prebiotic (Profeed®) supplementation were analysed to assess their impacts on intestinal health and production of juvenile rainbow trout. Microbial community analysis in experiment one revealed a degree of diet based modulation with 7.5% and 15% inclusions of wheat gluten (WG) products. Bacterial species diversity was significantly reduced with 15% hydrolysed wheat gluten (HWG) inclusion compared to the plant protein control and 15% vital wheat gluten (VWG) treatments, with sequenced OTUs dominated by the phylum Firmicutes and possible promotion of probiotic species. No detrimental effects were observed on intestinal morphology. These findings led onto a longer duration feed trial with a more holistic, higher resolution approach. Experiment two revealed modulation of the allochthonous intestinal microbiota, with increased proportions of Enterococcus and Weissella in the 10% and 20% VWG treatments. Bacillus and Leuconostoc relative abundances were significantly increased with 10% HWG and soluble hydrolysed (Sol) wheat gluten inclusions. HSP 70 transcripts were significantly down-regulated in all WG treatments compared to the basal soy protein concentrate treatment (SPC) and increased intraepithelial leukocyte counts were observed with 10% VWG inclusion. Growth performance was unaffected by 10% dietary inclusions of WG, however, FCR’s were significantly improved in the 20% VWG treatment compared to the 10% HWG and Soluble treatments. This led to the investigation of increased inclusion levels of WG products in experiment three. All WG treatments in experiment three yielded significantly improved growth performance. Somatic indices were significantly increased with 30% blended WG inclusion compared to the SPC treatment. Modulation of allochthonous intestinal microbiota was observed to a lower degree than the previous experiments, with a dose response observed with increasing blended WG inclusion. In the final experiment two basal diets (SPC and 20% Blended) and two scFOS supplemented diets (SPC + FOS and 20% Blended + FOS) were investigated for the effect on growth performance, gut health and allochthonous microbial population. Growth performance was unaffected, however, modulation of the allochthonous microbial population was observed with an apparent synergistic effect of scFOS supplementation in WG diets. This synergistic trend was also observed in the transcription level expression of immune relevant genes. 20% WG inclusion with additional scFOS supplementation observed significant down regulation of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α, as well as HSP 70, CASP 3 and Glute ST compared to the 20% Blend treatment. The present research demonstrates dietary inclusions of WG products, solely or blended, at the expense of soy protein concentrate to modulate the allochthonous microbial population, potentially promoting probiotic species, whilst reducing the levels of intestinal stress in juvenile rainbow trout. Supplementation of the prebiotic scFOS modulated the microbial populations, enhancing the proportion of potential probiotic species, and combined with WG inclusions, reduce intestinal and oxidative stress and inflammation biomarkers, with no observed deleterious effects.

Este trabalho objetivou avaliar os efeitos de teores crescentes de parede celular de levedura (PCL) seca em dietas para gatos adultos saudáveis sobre a digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes, composição da microbiota e concentração de ácidos graxos de cadeia curta e ramificada, ácido lático e aminas biogênicas nas fezes. Foram utilizados 14 gatos adultos saudáveis, machos e fêmeas, com peso médio de 4,40±1,05kg e idade média de 6,2±0,54 anos, distribuídos em delineamento em blocos casualizados desbalanceados (períodos experimentais), com dois blocos e três ou quatro gatos por dieta em cada bloco, em quatro tratamentos experimentais: controle 0% de PCL (T0); 0,2% de PCL (T20); 0,4% de PCL (T40) e 0,6% de PCL (T60), totalizando sete animais por dieta experimental. Os resultados foram avaliados pela função GLM do SAS através de regressões polinomiais simples. Verificou-se aumento linear no coeficiente de digestibilidade aparente (CDA) da matéria mineral (p=0,0305) e tendência a comportamento quadrático para CDA da fibra bruta (p=0,0792). Com relação à microbiota fecal, houve aumento linear no número de log/copies de Bifidobacterium spp. (p=0,0152) e Lactobacillus spp. (p=0,0299), redução linear em Clostridium perfringens (p=0,0371) e quadrática no grupo E. coli, Hafnia alvei e Shiguella spp. (p=0,0211), já enterobactérias, bactérias ácido-láticas, Campylobacter spp., Chlamydia felis e Salmonella spp. não foi observado efeito (p>0,05). Para os produtos da fermentação observou-se aumento linear na concentração de ácido butírico (p=0,0075), acético (p=0,0854), valérico (p=0,0465), total de ácidos graxos de cadeia curta (p=0,0612) e ramificada (p=0,0986), putrescina (p=0,0276), cadaverina (p=0,0036), histamina (p=0,0183) e total de aminas biogênicas (p=0,0024) com a inclusão de PCL já ácido isobutírico (p=0,0801) apresentou aumento quadrático. Conclui-se que a PCL possui efeito prebiótico para gatos adultos saudáveis. / This study evaluated the effects of the inclusion of increasing levels of spray-dried yeast cell wall (YCW) in diets to healthy adult cats on the coefficient of apparent digestibility, microbiota composition and concentration of short and branched fatty acids, latic acid and biogenic amines fecal. Fourteen adult cats were used, males and females, with an average weight of 4.40±1.05kg and average age of 6.2±0.54 years old, distributed in a randomized unbalanced block design (experimental periods), with two blocks and three or four cats by diet each block into four treatments: control 0% (T0), 0.2% of YCW (T20), 0.4% of YCW (T40) and 0.6% of YCW (T60), totaling seven animals per treatment. The results were evaluated by SAS GLM function by simple polynomial regression. It was verified a linear increase in coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of mineral matter (p=0.0305) and a tendency to quadratic behavior for CTTDA of crude fiber (p=0.0792). Regarding the fecal microbiota, a linear response of increase in log/copies of Bifidobacterium spp. (p = 0.0152) and Lactobacillus spp. (p=0.0299), linear reduction of Clostridium perfringens (p=0.0371) and quadratic in E. coli, Hafnia alvei and Shigella spp. group (p=0.0211), however enterobacteria, latic acid bacteria, Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp. and Chlamydia felis effect was not observed (p>0.05). For fermentation products was observed linear increase in concentration of butyric acid (p=0.0075), acetic acid (p=0.0854), valeric (p=0.0465), total short chain fatty acids (p=0.0612) and branched (p=0.0986), putrescine (p=0.0276), cadaverine (p=0.0036), histamine (p=0.0183) and total biogenic amines (p=0.0024) with the inclusion of YCW however isobutyric acid (p=0.0801) showed a quadratic increase. Through this study was possible to address the prebiotic effect of YCW to adult healthy cats.

Orientadores: Gláucia Maria Pastore, Luiz Carlos Basso / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos / Made available in DSpace on 2018-10-02T14:43:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Silva_JulianaBuenoDa_D.pdf: 2310696 bytes, checksum: 9ca677c093828e2fa9bdd9720ae5939c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: Os frutooligossacarídeos (FOS) são ingredientes de grande importância na indústria de alimentos e têm despertado muita atenção nos últimos anos por possuírem aplicações variadas e apresentarem propriedades prebióticas. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a produção biotecnologica de FOS a partir de micro-organismos osmofílicos em um proceso de biotransformação utilizando células íntegras microbianas. As linhagens de Bacillus sp. e Aureobasidium sp, previamente isoladas de favo-de-mel e identificadas, foram primeiramente avaliadas quantos aos principais parâmetros de produção utilizando a metodologia de Superfície de Resposta, precisamente pelo Placket-Burman (PB), nos quais foram analisados 12 parâmetros para cada um dos microrganismos, dentre eles, a concentração da sacarose, inóculo, extrato de levedura, K2HPO4, (NH4)2SO4, MgSO4.7H2O, ZnSO4, MnSO4.7H2O, pH, temperatura e agitação. O Bacillus sp. apresentou 5 fatores significativos, sendo o pH, temperatura e agitação com efeitos negativos e o extrato de levedura e sulfato de amônia com efeitos positivos. Já o Aureobasidium sp. apresentou efeito positivo apenas para os parâmetros concentração de sacarose e sulfato de magnésio, sugerindo que o melaço de cana-de-açúcar, o qual era utilizado apenas para este microrganismo na etapa de cultivo do inóculo, poderia estar carreando nutrientes essenciais ao processo. A partir desta etapa, o trabalho teve continuidade apenas com a linhagem Aureobasidium sp. utilizando planejamentos experimentais sequenciais, a fim de se obter a faixa ótima de produção de FOS totais para esse processo. O estudo realizado para avaliar o efeito do melaço como meio de cultivo para o crescimento e obtenção do inóculo microbiano para o processo, demonstrou que a suplementação com nutrientes, avaliados na etapa do PB, era desnecessária, e o meio para síntese de FOS foi definido em apenas sacarose sem suplementação de nutrientes, com o inóculo na forma de suspensão celular cultivado previamente em meio a base de melaço. A produção neste momento atingia valores de 287,6 e 251,5 g/L de FOS totais e rendimentos de 72% e 63% em 24 e 48 horas respectivamente, com uma produtividade de 12 g/L.h às 24 horas de incubação. Em seguida foi realizado o planejamento fatorial fracionado para 4 variáveis definidas em tempo de cultivo e concentração do melaço, na etapa do cultivo do inóculo, e concentração de sacarose e de inóculo para a síntese de FOS, cujos apresentaram-se positivos com exceção ao tempo de cultivo que não demonstrou efeito nas condições avaliadas. Os valores de produção atingidos na etapa do fatorial foram de 333 g/L e 354 g/L de FOS totais e rendimentos de 60,5% e 64% em 24 e 48 horas respectivamente, e produtividade de 13,8 g/L.h às 24 horas de incubação. Após esses resultados, fixou-se a concentração do melaço em 10% de açúcares redutores totais, permanecendo apenas a concentração de sacarose e inóculo como variáveis para prosseguir o planejamento. A otimização desses dois fatores por Delineamento Composto Central Rotacional (DCCR), possibilitou definir 4 modelos significativos ao processo, atingindo faixas ótimas de produção para cada FOS como o GF2, GF3 e GF4, e revelou a condição ótima para o processo em 600 a 650 g/L de sacarose e de 20 a 23% de inóculo, resultando em uma produção de 351 e 374 g/L de FOS e rendimentos de 53,5% e 57% em 24 e 48 horas respectivamente, atingindo uma produtividade de 14,7 g/L.h às 24 horas de incubação. Após definida a condição ótima do processo, o xarope de cana-de-açúcar, que é o caldo concentrado, foi utilizado como substrato alternativo à substituição da sacarose pura na produção de FOS. Os valores de rendimentos obtidos foram de 54%, entretanto as concentração de FOS totais foram de 110 g/L uma vez que a concentração inicial de sacarose no xarope era de apenas 203 g/L. A maioria dos experimentos revelou que o micro-organismo manteve-se viável e em crescimento durante o período de incubação, de acordo com os valores de biomassa e atividade enzimática avaliados nos experimentos. Sendo assim, foi proposto avaliar o processo em um biorreator de bancada de 7L, cujo foi conduzido inicialmente em sistema de batelada e após as 48 horas o processo passou a ser contínuo com taxa de diluição de 0,04.h-1 por mais 72 horas, totalizando 120 horas de cultivo. A concentração média de FOS totais produzidos foi de 228 g/L e uma produtividade média foi de 9 g/L.h / Abstract: Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are considered food ingredients with very significance for food industry that has receiving attention in the last few years, because of their functional properties for the health as prebiotics and industrial application. The objective of the present work was evaluate the biotechnological production of FOS by osmophilics microorganisms in a biotransformation process using free whole cells. Firstly the effects of production parameters using Bacillus sp. and Auerobasidium sp. strains. was employed by the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) exactly Plackett-Burman Design with 12 variables: concentration of sucrose, inoculum, yeast extract, K2HPO4, (NH4)2SO4, MgSO4.7H2O, ZnSO4, MnSO4.7H2O, pH, temperature and agitation. The Bacillus sp. showed 5 significant parameters, as pH, temperature and agitation with negative effect and yeast extract and ammonium sulfate with positive effect. The Aureobasidium sp. presents positive effect only for sucrose and magnesium sulfate concentration, which suggested the inoculum culture was caring nutrients from sugar cane molasses, that was the base of the inoculum cultivation for Aureobasidium sp. The work has continued only with Aureobasidum sp. applying sequential planning experiments to optimize the process. The experiment for evaluate the molasses effect as inoculum cultivation medium on process showed that nutrients supplementation, used in the PB design, wasn¿t necessary, consequently, the FOS synthesis medium was defined as sucrose, without nutrients supplements and the inoculum as cellular suspension previously cultivated in molasses medium. Total FOS data, at this point, reached 287.6 and 251.5 g/L with 72% and 63% of yield data at 24 and 48 hours respectively, with 12 g/L.h of productivity at 24 hours. Subsequently, the factorial planning was realized with 4 parameters as cultivation time and molasses concentration, in the inoculum cultivation step, and sucrose and inoculum concentration for the FOS synthesis. Almost all these factors showed positive effect, exception of inoculum cultivation time. The total FOS data, at this point, was 333 and 354 g/L with 60.5% and 64% of yield data at 24 and 48 hours respectively, with 13.8 g/L.h of productivity at 24 hours. Regarding these data, the molasses concentration was fixed at 10% of total reduce sugars, remaining only sucrose and inoculum concentration as variables to continue the planning. The two factors optimization was proceed by Central Composite Rotational Design (CCRD) that allowed defined 4 significant process model, aimed optimum production scales for which one FOS, as GF2, GF3 and GF4, that reveals the optimum process condition in 600 to 650 g/L of sucrose and 20 to 23% of inoculum, resulting in 351 and 354 g/L of total FOS data and 53.5% e 57% of yield data at 24 and 48 hours respectively, with 14.7 g/L.h of productivity at 24 hours. After defined the optimum process condition, the sugar cane syrup was evaluated as alternative substrate to pure sucrose for FOS production. The yield data reached was 54%, however the total FOS concentration was 110 g/L due to the small initial sucrose concentration on syrup that was 203 g/L. All the experiments showed significant microorganism growth and increase enzyme activity during the process. For this reason, the process was conducted in a 7L bioreactor, using initially batch system and after 48 hours the system was changed to continuous process with 0.04. h-1 for more 72 hours, with 120 total hours process. Data values showed the 9 g/L.h of productivity and 228 g/L of total FOS concentration / Doutorado / Ciência de Alimentos / Doutora em Ciência de Alimentos

The development of processes for the preparation of prebiotic compounds, namely inulin from tubers of Jerusalem artichoke (JA-Helianthus tuberosus L.), and lactulose from milk concentration permeate (MCP) was examined. Inulin was extracted from the whole JA tubers using hydrothermal extraction process, followed by clarification and concentration. The concentrate was fractionated using two different procedures i.e. ethanol fractionation and cold precipitation (+4 and/or -24C) into high- and low-molecular-weight components. The most satisfactory method was cold fractionation wherein the insoluble heavier inulin fractions were found to settle to the bottom and were separated and spray-dried to obtain inulin powder. Lactose in MCP was isomerised into lactulose using carbonate-based catalysts (oyster shell and egg shell powders) followed by clarification and concentration. The high-performance liquid chromatography with refractive index detector (HPLC-RID) chr omatograms and changes in pH and colour values confirmed the conversion of lactose into lactulose and decomposition of lactulose into by-products. The results obtained showed the suitability of oyster shell powder for lactose isomerisation in lieu of egg shell powder. For preparing lactulose-enriched MCP with acceptable lactulose yield of 22%, the optimum reaction conditions were found to be catalyst loading of 12 mg per mL of MCP and isomerisation time of 120 min at 96C. The resulting products i.e. JAI concentrate and powder and lactulose-enriched MCP syrup (40B) were tested for their prebiotic power in media broth and in fermented milk models. Prebiotic properties of these compounds were observed as supplementation levels increased from 0-2% to 3-4%. Based on the growth and acidification abilities of the probiotic strains tested, the combination of Lactobacillus casei LC-01 with JAI, and Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 with lactulose-enriched MCP syrup were found to be the best for development of synbiotic yoghurt. The prebiotic effect of JAIP was then compared with the two commercial chicory inulin products (Raftiline GR and Raftilose P95). Probiotic yoghurts supplemented with 4% inulin powders were prepared from reconstituted skim milk using mixed cultures of Lactobacillus casei LC-01, Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus (1:0.5:0.5, w/w). The survival and acidifying activity of probiotic and lactic acid cultures were investiga ted during the shelf life of 28 days at 4C. Incorporation of JAIP and chicory inulins resulted in a significant improvement in viability of LC-01 compared with non-supplemented yoghurt, maintaining more than 107 CFU g-1 throughout storage time. Additionally, the suitability of JAIP as fat replacer was determined in a set of fat-free yoghurt in comparison to three commercial chicory inulin products. Results of large deformation tests revealed that the firmness of JAIP-supplemented yoghurt was reduced to a similar level as the full-fat control yoghurt. However, small deformation results showed that the JAIP could not fully mimic milk fat to the same extent as Raftiline HP with an average DP of 23. The rheological effects of JAIP addition were comparable to those of short-chain (Raftilose P95 with an average DP of 4) and medium-chain inulins (Raftiline® GR with an average DP of 12).

Four experiments were conducted to evaluate guar meal as a source of prebiotic galactomannans for laying hens. In the 1st experiment, late phase laying hens were fed diets with 0, 5, 10% guar meal (GM) for 56 days or 15% GM for 28 days then switched to the 0% GM diet for the final 28 days. In the 2nd experiment, young pullets were fed guar germ (GG) or GM at 0, 2.5 or 5% for 20 weeks. In the 1st and 2nd experiments, egg production and feed consumption were not affected by feeding up to 5% guar by-products whereas feed efficiency was decreased by guar feeding. Feeding of GG or GM did not affect egg weight or shell quality, but decreased the egg yolk color and Haugh units. Guar increased absolute and relative liver weight, but did not affect the weights of the pancreas, spleen, or the incidence of fatty liver or liver hemorrhage. Feeding 10% GM depressed feed consumption and increased body weight loss. Feeding 15% GM severely depressed egg production followed by a recovery of production after returning to 0% GM feeding. In the 3rd and 4th experiments, late phase laying hens were induced to molt by feed withdrawal (FW) or feeding 15 or 20% GM with or without β-mannanase (Hemicell??). All hens except those fed 15% GM with enzyme obtained a complete cessation of lay in 10 days. Compared to FW birds, hens fed GM had lower body weight reduction and mortality, while hens fed 20% GM with enzyme had higher post-molt egg production. Salmonella enteritidis (SE) present in 6 organs (crop, liver, spleen, ovary, oviduct and cecum), and SE in cecal contents were significantly reduced by 20% GM feeding with and without enzyme. The results showed that GG or GM can be safely fed to laying hens up to 5% without adverse effects on performance. An alternative molting method employing 20% GM with or without β-mannanase is preferable to FW because GM feeding results in a complete molt and decreases mortality, as well as enhances the resistance to SE of molted hens.

Extraction of fructo-oligosaccharide syrups from grated jerusalem artichoke (JA) tubers was studied by water at 20-60&deg / C by determining the yield, degree of polymerization (DP), product profile (DP of up to 6) and prebiotic effect using Lactobacillus plantarum on samples harvested between October and April, stored for 0-20 days. The optimum solvent to solid ratio was 4, the duration of shaking water bath extraction was 40 min and yield based on JA were 12-17%. Temperature was found to improve yield and functionality, and citric acid, at 26 mM, improved the color and darkness by 70 and 80%, respectively. Short-time (1 min) microwaving prior to extraction increased the yield by about 20%, decreased the amount of sugars with DP 1 and 2 and increased the amounts of oligosaccharides (OS) with DP 3-6, although the prebiotic effect increased only slightly / while the color and darkness of the syrup were tripled. Ultrasound-assisted-extraction (USE) gave best performance at 3 min duration / decreased the amounts of sugars with DP 1-2, increased the amounts of OS with DP 3-6, with 18% decrease in the yield. The better functionality of USE syrups were also indicated by 2.5 times higher growth rate of L.plantarum. The application of USE at 60&deg / C compared to 20&deg / C almost tripled the amounts of functional sugars. In order to obtain the largest proportion of monosaccharide units as functional sugars, 10 day storage at 4&deg / C after harvest was indicated. Ultrasonication did not affect the color but the darkness was doubled. The density and viscosity of all the syrups were practically the same.