Effects of a pectin from lemon alone or combined with Bifidobacterium longum BB-46 on the obese microbiota using a gut microbiome model

In this study we evaluated the effects of a harsh extracted pectin from lemon and of Bifidobacterium longum BB-46, alone and in combination, on the obese microbiota using a Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME®). The effects of these interventions were assessed by the analysis of the intestinal microbial composition (using 16S rRNA gene Illumina NextSeq sequencing) and of the levels of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and ammonium ions (NH4+). Samples from the three regions of the colon (ascending, transverse and descending colon) were collected during all periods of the study (control, treatment with BB46, treatment with pectin + BB46, washout period and treatment with pectin alone) to perform the mentioned analyzes.