The Particle Size of Wheat Bran Dietary Fiber Influences Its Improvement Effects on Constipation

Wheat bran dietary fiber (WBDF) is a potential functional additive to enrich products used for relieving constipation. The purpose of this study was to understand the effects of different particle size ranges (mean sizes of 84.14, 61.74, 37.39, and 22.33 μm) of WBDF on constipation. With the decreas...

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Main Authors: Luyao Li, Linlin Hu, Rui Chen, Ruoyan Yang, Lingxiao Gong, Jing Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Foods
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/6/1001
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author Luyao Li
Linlin Hu
Rui Chen
Ruoyan Yang
Lingxiao Gong
Jing Wang
author_facet Luyao Li
Linlin Hu
Rui Chen
Ruoyan Yang
Lingxiao Gong
Jing Wang
author_sort Luyao Li
collection DOAJ
description Wheat bran dietary fiber (WBDF) is a potential functional additive to enrich products used for relieving constipation. The purpose of this study was to understand the effects of different particle size ranges (mean sizes of 84.14, 61.74, 37.39, and 22.33 μm) of WBDF on constipation. With the decrease in particle size, its morphology exhibited an increase in fiber fragmentation, larger pore sizes, and the formation of structural faults. The oil-holding capacity (OHC) and swelling capacity (SC) of WBDF were found to change with particle size, with the highest OHC observed at 37.39 μm and the greatest SC at 84.14 μm. Animal experiments demonstrated that the WBDF of smaller particle sizes significantly alleviated loperamide-induced constipation with an increased intestinal propulsion rate, decreased first melanin excretion time, and reduced gastric residual rate. Meanwhile, WBDF samples markedly increased serum MTL and serum AChE levels. Notably, compared with the constipation model (CMNC) group, the small intestinal propulsion rate in the MPS40 group increased by 41.21%, and the gastric residue rate significantly decreased by 19.69%. The improvement in constipation symptoms was most pronounced. Additionally, the abundance of <i data-eusoft-scrollable-element="1">Lactobacillus</i> in the MPS40 group increased by 52.52%, while the relative abundance of <i data-eusoft-scrollable-element="1">Prevotella</i> decreased by 83.55%, and the diversity of the gut microbiota was altered. These findings provide valuable insights into the potential commercial applications of WBDF in fiber-enriched functional foods to support intestinal health.
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spelling doaj-art-e45d3a3bf9d144128d183d21f86062012025-08-20T03:43:39ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-03-01146100110.3390/foods14061001The Particle Size of Wheat Bran Dietary Fiber Influences Its Improvement Effects on ConstipationLuyao Li0Linlin Hu1Rui Chen2Ruoyan Yang3Lingxiao Gong4Jing Wang5Key Laboratory of Geriatric Nutrition and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University (BTBU), Ministry of Education, Beijing 100048, ChinaKey Laboratory of Geriatric Nutrition and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University (BTBU), Ministry of Education, Beijing 100048, ChinaKey Laboratory of Geriatric Nutrition and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University (BTBU), Ministry of Education, Beijing 100048, ChinaKey Laboratory of Geriatric Nutrition and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University (BTBU), Ministry of Education, Beijing 100048, ChinaKey Laboratory of Geriatric Nutrition and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University (BTBU), Ministry of Education, Beijing 100048, ChinaKey Laboratory of Geriatric Nutrition and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University (BTBU), Ministry of Education, Beijing 100048, ChinaWheat bran dietary fiber (WBDF) is a potential functional additive to enrich products used for relieving constipation. The purpose of this study was to understand the effects of different particle size ranges (mean sizes of 84.14, 61.74, 37.39, and 22.33 μm) of WBDF on constipation. With the decrease in particle size, its morphology exhibited an increase in fiber fragmentation, larger pore sizes, and the formation of structural faults. The oil-holding capacity (OHC) and swelling capacity (SC) of WBDF were found to change with particle size, with the highest OHC observed at 37.39 μm and the greatest SC at 84.14 μm. Animal experiments demonstrated that the WBDF of smaller particle sizes significantly alleviated loperamide-induced constipation with an increased intestinal propulsion rate, decreased first melanin excretion time, and reduced gastric residual rate. Meanwhile, WBDF samples markedly increased serum MTL and serum AChE levels. Notably, compared with the constipation model (CMNC) group, the small intestinal propulsion rate in the MPS40 group increased by 41.21%, and the gastric residue rate significantly decreased by 19.69%. The improvement in constipation symptoms was most pronounced. Additionally, the abundance of <i data-eusoft-scrollable-element="1">Lactobacillus</i> in the MPS40 group increased by 52.52%, while the relative abundance of <i data-eusoft-scrollable-element="1">Prevotella</i> decreased by 83.55%, and the diversity of the gut microbiota was altered. These findings provide valuable insights into the potential commercial applications of WBDF in fiber-enriched functional foods to support intestinal health.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/6/1001dietary fiberparticle sizeconstipationgut microbiota
spellingShingle Luyao Li
Linlin Hu
Rui Chen
Ruoyan Yang
Lingxiao Gong
Jing Wang
The Particle Size of Wheat Bran Dietary Fiber Influences Its Improvement Effects on Constipation
Foods
dietary fiber
particle size
constipation
gut microbiota
title The Particle Size of Wheat Bran Dietary Fiber Influences Its Improvement Effects on Constipation
title_full The Particle Size of Wheat Bran Dietary Fiber Influences Its Improvement Effects on Constipation
title_fullStr The Particle Size of Wheat Bran Dietary Fiber Influences Its Improvement Effects on Constipation
title_full_unstemmed The Particle Size of Wheat Bran Dietary Fiber Influences Its Improvement Effects on Constipation
title_short The Particle Size of Wheat Bran Dietary Fiber Influences Its Improvement Effects on Constipation
title_sort particle size of wheat bran dietary fiber influences its improvement effects on constipation
topic dietary fiber
particle size
constipation
gut microbiota
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/6/1001
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