Functional oligosaccharide fermentation in the gut: Improving intestinal health and its determinant factors-A review

The human intestine is characterized by an abundance of nutrients and a complex microbiota that make crucial contributions to overall health. These nutrients facilitate the adaptation of resident commensals to extreme environments and the development of a robust ecological network in host species. Long-term deprivation of microbiota-accessible carbohydrates (MACs) in the gut results in a loss of bacterial diversity, disruption of intestinal barrier function, and inflammatory diseases. Functional oligosaccharides are excellent MACs possessing important prebiotic properties for intestinal health through their fermentation in the gut. Its mechanism of action is predominantly attributed to acting as carbon sources for specific probiotics, promoting short-chain fatty acids production, and regulating the gut microbiota. In this review, we describe the source and structural characteristics of functional oligosaccharides, provide a framework for strategies to improve intestinal health by oligosaccharide fermentation and discuss structural determinants influencing the functional properties of oligosaccharides.

Automated summary

The human intestine contains abundant nutrients and a complex microbiota that play crucial roles in overall health. Deprivation of microbiota-accessible carbohydrates (MACs) in the gut leads to bacterial diversity loss, disruption of intestinal barrier function, and inflammatory diseases. Functional oligosaccharides, acting as prebiotics, have important effects on intestinal health through their fermentation in the gut, promoting the production of short-chain fatty acids, and regulating the gut microbiota.