pig gut metagenome Metagenome

Dietary inclusion of resistant starches can promote host health through modulation of the gastrointestinal microbiota. In this study, we investigated the impact of a transglycosylated cornstarch (TGS), which is a modified starch, on bacterial community profiles and fermentation metabolites through the gastrointestinal tract (stomach, ileum, cecum, proximal colon, and mid colon) and related bacterial abundances and metabolites to the expression of host genes for glucose and SCFA absorption, incretins, and satiety in the gut as well as for lipid metabolism in hepatic and adipose tissue in growing pigs. Sixteen growing pigs were fed 2 diets containing 72% purified starch [waxy cornstarch (CON) or TGS] for 10 days. Samples were collected on experimental day 11. For bacterial analysis, we collected luminal digesta from stomach, ileum, cecum, proximal and mid colon. Bacterial profiles of the pigs were determined using the Illumina MiSeq platform and sequencing of the V345 region of the 16S rRNA gene.