1. Dietary Fiber with Functional Properties Counteracts the Thwarting Effects of Copper Nanoparticles on the Microbial Enzymatic Activity and Short-Chain Fatty Acid Production in the Feces of Rats
- Author
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Jerzy Juśkiewicz, Bartosz Fotschki, Anna Stępniowska, Ewelina Cholewińska, Dorota Napiórkowska, Aleksandra Marzec, Łucja Brzuzan, Joanna Fotschki, Ewa Żary-Sikorska, and Katarzyna Ognik
- Subjects
nanominerals ,pectin ,inulin ,psyllium ,fecal microbial activity ,rats ,Nutrition. Foods and food supply ,TX341-641 - Abstract
The present study aimed to scrutinize the hypothesis that the dietary addition of fiber with functional properties would prevent the thwarting effects of copper nanoparticles (Cu-NP) on fecal microbial metabolic activity. The Wistar rats were fed for 6 weeks with diets with two different contents of Cu-NP (a recommended dose of 6.5 mg/kg or doubled) and four sources of dietary fiber: control – cellulose; and experimental – pectin, inulin, and psyllium. The activity of bacterial enzymes and short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) production were analyzed in the excreted feces collected on subsequent days of feeding. The inclusion of Cu-NP to the diet, especially in the higher dose tested, resulted in a rapid reduction in the fecal microbial enzymatic activity after only the first day of feeding. The addition of functional fiber to diets containing Cu-NP enhanced bacterial α-glucosidase, β-glucosidase, β-glucuronidase, α-arabinofuranosidase activity and SCFA production vs . diets with control cellulose. That effect was most rapidly evident with pectin, while the effect of inulin or psyllium addition exceeded that of pectin only in some cases, i.e. , α-glucosidase activity as well as content of propionic and butyric acids. In conclusion, the high potential of dietary functional fiber in reducing the suppressive effect of Cu-NP on the intestinal microbiota activity should be recognized. more...
- Published
- 2024
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