In vitro fecal fermentation characteristics of bamboo insoluble dietary fiber and its impacts on human gut microbiota

Bamboo contains abundant hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin, which are a high-quality insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) raw material. To investigate IDF- induced changes in the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and the composition of human gut microbiota, IDF was extracted by alkaline hydrogen peroxide (named BIDF), complex enzymatic hydrolysis method (named OIDF) from bamboo, and commercial bamboo fiber BF90. The in vitro fecal fermentation characteristics of BIDF, OIDF, BF90 and its impacts on human gut microbiota were studied for the first time. Results showed that BIDF, OIDF, and BF90 could promote the production of total SCFAs after 24 h fermentation. Additionally, BIDF could alter the composition and microbial diversity of gut microbiota, especially increase the relative abundance of Bacteroides and decrease the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes (F/B) value. These results revealed that the IDF from bamboo could be partially utilized by specific bacteria in human intestines and provide a reference for the study of the effects of IDF fermentation on SCFAs production and microbial composition.

Automated summary

This study investigated the effects of insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) from bamboo on the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and the composition of gut microbiota. The results showed that IDF could promote SCFAs production and alter the microbial composition in the gut.