Effects of mannooligosaccharides from coffee on microbiota and short chain fatty acids in rat cecum

The effect of mannooligosaccharides (MOS) obtained from coffee mannan on cecal microbiota and short chain fatty acid production was examined in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were given water and a dietary treatment containing 5% MOS ad libitum for 28 days. The body weight of those fed the MOS diet showed no significant difference compared with rats that consumed the control diet. The consumption of MOS increased the concentration of bifidobacteria (p < 0.05) and the ratio of bifidobacteria to total microbes (p < 0.05). The addition of MOS resulted in a significantly higher (p < 0.05) concentration of short chain fatty acids in the cecal contents compared with the control diet. The concentrations of acetate, propionate and butyrate were higher (p < 0.05) in rats fed the MOS diet compared with the control diet. These results suggest that MOS in the 5% diet promotes bifidobacteria growth and increased production of short chain fatty acids in rats.