Effects of NatureKnit™, a Blend of Fruit and Vegetable Fibers Rich in Naturally Occurring Bound Polyphenols, on the Metabolic Activity and Community Composition of the Human Gut Microbiome Using the M-SHIME<sup>®</sup> Gastrointestinal Model
This study evaluated the impact of a proprietary blend of fruit and vegetable fibers rich in naturally occurring bound polyphenols (commercially marketed as NatureKnit<sup>TM</sup>), compared to purified fibers (inulin and psyllium), on the human gut microbiome using the validated M-SHIM...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Microorganisms |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/3/613 |
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| Summary: | This study evaluated the impact of a proprietary blend of fruit and vegetable fibers rich in naturally occurring bound polyphenols (commercially marketed as NatureKnit<sup>TM</sup>), compared to purified fibers (inulin and psyllium), on the human gut microbiome using the validated M-SHIME<sup>®</sup> gastrointestinal model. A short-term single-stage colonic M-SHIME<sup>®</sup> experiment (with fecal inoculum from three healthy human donors) was used to evaluate the test products compared to a negative control. Samples were assessed for pH, gas pressure, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, lactate, and ammonium from 0 h to 48 h. Microbial community composition was assessed at 0 h (negative control only), 24 h, and 48 h (lumen) or 48 h (mucosal). All test products were fermented well in the colon as demonstrated by decreases in pH and increases in gas pressure over time; these changes occurred faster with the purified fibers, whereas NatureKnit™ demonstrated slow, steady changes, potentially indicating a gentler fermentation process. SCFA production significantly increased over the course of the 48 h experiment with all test products versus negative control. SCFA production was significantly greater with NatureKnit™ versus the purified fibers. Shifts in the microbial community composition were observed with all test products versus negative control. At the conclusion of the 48 h experiment, the absolute bacterial abundance and the richness of observed bacterial taxa in the lumen compartment was significantly greater with NatureKnit™ compared with inulin, psyllium, and negative control. Overall, NatureKnit™ demonstrated greater or similar prebiotic effects on study measures compared with established prebiotic fibers. |
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| ISSN: | 2076-2607 |