Fiber mixtures containing chicory inulin, wheat dextrin, and cellulose, or tapioca dextrin alone, beneficially modulate microbial metabolic activity and composition in short-term colonic simulations.

Background: Dietary fiber blends are commonly included in enteral nutrition to support gut health, a key component of Medical Nutrition Therapy. These blends help maintain intestinal integrity and promote a healthy gut microbiota. In this Methods: Predigested test products were incubated with fecal suspensions from three healthy donors in a colonic simulation model. Microbial fermentative activity, metabolite production, and composition were analyzed at 0, 6, 24, and 48 h. After 48 h, samples were tested for their effects on intestinal barrier function and cytokine production in a Caco-2/Tohoku Hospital Pediatrics-1 (THP1) co-culture model. Results: All test products were well fermented, resulting in a significant increase in total short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production at 48 h ( Conclusion: Dietary fiber mixtures containing inulin, wheat dextrin, and cellulose, as well as pure tapioca dextrin, demonstrated prebiotic effects and reduced potentially toxic products of proteolytic fermentation. These findings indicate that such fiber mixtures in enteral nutrition may support gut integrity and modulate immune modulation, benefiting patients receiving Medical Nutrition Therapy.