Stimulation of butyrate production through the metabolic interaction among lactic acid bacteria, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and lactic acid-utilizing bacteria, Megasphaera elsdenii, in porcine cecal digesta

In this study, we examined the potential of Megasphaera elsdenii as a probiotic agent in combination with sodium gluconate. We also examined the combination of M. elsdenii with probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Lactobacillus acidophilus, to enhance butyrate production in the large intestine using a pig cecal in vitro model under the presence of sodium gluconate. Compared to the uninoculated control culture (with only diluted cecal digesta), the addition of M. elsdenii and LAB to the culture stimulated significantly the production of n-butyrate (60% increase) and n-valerate (50% increase) after 24 h incubation. n-Butyrate is regarded as the most important short-chain fatty acid in the large intestine because it stimulates the proliferation of epithelial cells, mucus release and water and mineral absorption. Therefore, lactate-utilizing butyrate producers such as M. elsdenii play a significant role in supporting the health-beneficial effects of lactogenic prebiotics and probiotics LAB. The potential of M. elsdenii as a probiotic was also suggested.