An in vitro fermentation study on the effects of Dendrobium officinale polysaccharides on human intestinal microbiota from fecal microbiota transplantation donors

The current study investigated the effects of Dendrobium officinale polysaccharides (DOP) on human intestinal microbiota composition and metabolism via in vitro fermentation. Following 48 h of fermentation, 63.88% ± 2.40% of the total carbohydrate in the DOP was consumed and pH decreased from 6.95 to 4.70. Meanwhile, the total short chain fatty acid (SCFA) productions significantly increased, with the major SCFA being acetic, propionic and butyric acids. 16S rRNA analysis revealed several differences in the intestinal microbiota community structure between the DOP-treatment culture and control, DOP increased the population of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes and decreased the abundance of Proteobacteria. PICRUSt functional profile prediction revealed that DOP increased the abundance of genes in amino acid and fatty acid metabolic pathways. The results of metabolites determination also showed higher amino acids and fatty acids metabolites. These results suggest that polysaccharides from Dendrobium officinale have prebiotic potential and may improve gastrointestinal health.