Synbiotics (i.e., the combination of a prebiotic and a probiotic) are recognized means to modulate composition and activities of gut microbiota. The aim of the present study was to evalute the effects derived from the oral administration of a combination of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) and a Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum strain, previously isolated from the feces of a healthy adult cat, on composition and metabolism of feline intestinal microbiota. Growth kinetics of the B. pseudocatenulatum strain was determined on 4 different prebiotic substances (GOS, fructo-oligosaccharides, lactitol and pectin). Biomass yield was higher (P < 0.01) for GOS than for other treatments. Ten adult healthy cats received for 15 d a synbiotic consisting of the freeze-dried B. pseudocatenulatum strain (108 cfu/d) and GOS at 1% of the diet. Fecal samples were collected from each cat the day before synbiotic administration started (Day 0) and 1 and 10 d after synbiotic withdrawal (Day 16 and 25, respectively), for chemical and microbiological analysis. Results at Day 0, 16 and 25 were analyzed by one-way ANOVA with time as the main factor. While no difference on fecal moisture and pH was detected, ammonia concentrations were reduced on d 16 and 25 compared with trial start (288 and 281 vs. 353 mmol/g of fecal DM; P < 0.05). On Day 16, fecal concentration of acetic acid was increased compared with d 0 (17.1 vs. 13.2 mmol/g of fecal DM; P < 0.05). Furthermore, on Day 16, fecal concentrations of lactic, n-valeric and iso-valeric acids were lower than on Day 0 and 25 (0.18 vs. 0.30 and 0.30, 0.15 vs. 1.84 and 1.73, 0.35 vs. 0.65 and 0.62 mmol/g of fecal DM, respectively; P < 0.05). Fecal counts of Cl. perfringens, enterococci, Bacteroides spp., E. coli and lactobacilli were not influenced by treatment whereas an increase of bifidobacteria counts was observed on Day 16 and 25 compared with trial start (7.98 and 7.52 vs. 5.63 Log cfu/g of fecal DM; P < 0.01). Present results show an overall positive influence derived from the synbiotic administration on feline fecal microbiota.
Biagi G., Cipollini I., Grandi M., Pinna C., Pompei A., Zini M., et al. (2011). Effect of feeding a combination of galacto-oligosaccharides and a Bifidobacterium sp. strain on feline intestinal ecosystem.
Effect of feeding a combination of galacto-oligosaccharides and a Bifidobacterium sp. strain on feline intestinal ecosystem
BIAGI, GIACOMO;CIPOLLINI, IRENE;GRANDI, MONICA;PINNA, CARLO;POMPEI, ANNA;ZINI, MADDALENA;ZAGHINI, GIULIANO
2011
Abstract
Synbiotics (i.e., the combination of a prebiotic and a probiotic) are recognized means to modulate composition and activities of gut microbiota. The aim of the present study was to evalute the effects derived from the oral administration of a combination of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) and a Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum strain, previously isolated from the feces of a healthy adult cat, on composition and metabolism of feline intestinal microbiota. Growth kinetics of the B. pseudocatenulatum strain was determined on 4 different prebiotic substances (GOS, fructo-oligosaccharides, lactitol and pectin). Biomass yield was higher (P < 0.01) for GOS than for other treatments. Ten adult healthy cats received for 15 d a synbiotic consisting of the freeze-dried B. pseudocatenulatum strain (108 cfu/d) and GOS at 1% of the diet. Fecal samples were collected from each cat the day before synbiotic administration started (Day 0) and 1 and 10 d after synbiotic withdrawal (Day 16 and 25, respectively), for chemical and microbiological analysis. Results at Day 0, 16 and 25 were analyzed by one-way ANOVA with time as the main factor. While no difference on fecal moisture and pH was detected, ammonia concentrations were reduced on d 16 and 25 compared with trial start (288 and 281 vs. 353 mmol/g of fecal DM; P < 0.05). On Day 16, fecal concentration of acetic acid was increased compared with d 0 (17.1 vs. 13.2 mmol/g of fecal DM; P < 0.05). Furthermore, on Day 16, fecal concentrations of lactic, n-valeric and iso-valeric acids were lower than on Day 0 and 25 (0.18 vs. 0.30 and 0.30, 0.15 vs. 1.84 and 1.73, 0.35 vs. 0.65 and 0.62 mmol/g of fecal DM, respectively; P < 0.05). Fecal counts of Cl. perfringens, enterococci, Bacteroides spp., E. coli and lactobacilli were not influenced by treatment whereas an increase of bifidobacteria counts was observed on Day 16 and 25 compared with trial start (7.98 and 7.52 vs. 5.63 Log cfu/g of fecal DM; P < 0.01). Present results show an overall positive influence derived from the synbiotic administration on feline fecal microbiota.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
