Microbial shifts of faecal microbiota using enteral nutrition in vitro

Enteral nutrition (EN) formulas of polymeric type ordinarily have similar content of intact macronutrients but may vary in prebiotic saccharides and micronutrients. These components can play an important role in the intestinal microbiota modulation. The aim of this study was to investigate microbial changes of faecal samples after their in vitro anaerobic cultivation in four polymeric EN formulas using plate technique method, metabolite analysis, and microbiota profiling using 16S rRNA sequencing. Detected cultivable commensal groups (bifidobacteria, lactobacilli, Escherichia coli) in faecal samples of donors were able to grow in EN formulas. However, their counts varied depending on the individual donor and the type of EN formula. Similar trend was found in detected metabolites such as acetate, lactate, and butyrate. Also, taxonomic composition and diversity of original and cultivated faecal microbiota of one individual on different EN formula indicate a possible effect of the prebiotics and micronutrients to modulate gut microbiota.

Automated summary

The study found that cultivable commensal groups (bifidobacteria, lactobacilli, Escherichia coli) in fecal samples were able to grow in different polymeric enteral nutrition formulas, with their counts varying depending on individual donors and formula types. Analysis of metabolites and microbiota composition showed that prebiotics and micronutrients may have an effect on gut microbiota modulation.