The effect of malanga tubers (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) versus potato tubers on mouse gut microbiota

In Cuba, the starchy tuber of malanga (Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.) Schott, Araceae) is widely used as an easily digestible, medicinal food for children and adults with gastritis. We compared the physicochemical properties, bioavailability, and gut microbial effects of carbohydrates from boiled and freeze-dried malanga with potato tubers using the in vitro TNO Intestinal Model 1 (TIM-1) and C57BL/6J mice. Compared to potato, malanga carbohydrates were characterized by higher starch content, lower amylose:amylopectin ratio, and higher free sugar content, which contributed to lower apparent viscosity. In vitro and in vivo digestion of malanga yielded significantly higher bioaccessible and bioavailable sugars than potato, respectively. The gut bacterial communities of mice fed a high fat diet containing 20% malanga for 14 d exhibited significantly higher ? diversity than those fed a 20% potato diet, as well as significant alterations in the abundances of bacterial groups associated with butyrate production. Collectively, these results provide scientific evidence to validate malanga's traditional use to promote gut health.