Genome sequence of Lactobacillus sp. isolated from neohesperidin dihydrochalcone-treated piglets. Lactobacillus sp. isolate:OTU 4228

Prebiotics, selective dietary ingredients, promote the growth of beneficial gut microbiota conferring health benefits on the host. Artificial sweeteners are implicated in having prebiotic effects; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects have not been elucidated. Here we demonstrate alterations in composition and diversity of gut microbiota in piglets consuming feed containing the artificial sweetener SUCRAM (consisting of neohesperidin dihydrochalcone and saccharin), with the most notable change being a significant increase in abundance of gut Lactobacillaceae. In vitro analysis of lactobacillus growth characteristics and sugar transporter gene expression shows that neohesperidin dihydrochalcone reduces the lag phase of growth and enhances expression of sugar transporters. This increases the capacity for sugar uptake, explaining the in vivo effect of NHDC in promoting Lactobacillaceae populations. This study describes a novel mode of action of an artificial sweetener and its prebiotic potential in enhancing the growth of health promoting gut microbiota.