Abstract/Summary

Aims This study explored the effect of three different prebiotics, the human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) 2’-Fucosyllactose (2’-FL), an oligofructose-enriched inulin (fructo-oligosaccharide, or FOS), and a galacto-oligosaccaride (GOS) mixture, on the faecal microbiota from patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) using in vitro batch culture fermentation models. Changes in bacterial groups and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production were compared. Methods and Results In vitro, pH controlled batch culture fermentation was carried out over 48 hours on samples from three healthy controls and three patients with active UC. Four vessels were ran, one negative control and one for each of the prebiotic substrates. Bacterial enumeration was carried out using fluorescence in situ hybridisation with flow cytometry. SCFA quantification was performed using gas chromatography mass spectrometry. All substrates had a positive effect on the gut microbiota and led to significant increases in total SCFA and propionate concentrations at 48 hours. 2’-FL was the only substrate to significantly increase acetate and led to the greatest increase in total SCFA concentration at 48 hours. 2’-FL best suppressed Desulfovibrio spp., a pathogen associated with UC. Conclusions 2’FL, FOS and GOS all significantly improved the gut microbiota in this in vitro study and also led to increased SCFA.