Modification of the equine gastrointestinal microbiota by Jerusalem artichoke meal supplementation.
Authors: Glatter M, Borewicz K, van den Bogert B, Wensch-Dorendorf M, Bochnia M, Greef J M, Bachmann M, Smidt H, Breves G, Zeyner A
Journal: PloS one
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Jerusalem Artichoke Meal and Equine Microbiota Researchers investigated whether Jerusalem artichoke meal—a natural source of prebiotic fructooligosaccharides and inulin—could modify microbial populations across different regions of the equine digestive tract, as understanding these shifts may have implications for gastrointestinal health management. Twelve mature horses were assigned to either a control group or a supplemented group receiving 0.15 g/kg bodyweight daily of Jerusalem artichoke meal over 21 days, after which digesta samples from multiple gastrointestinal sites were analysed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing to profile bacterial communities. Supplementation significantly increased Lactobacillus abundance throughout the tract and reduced Streptococcus in the stomach, whilst paradoxically decreasing fibrolytic bacteria (Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae members) in the hindgut—a noteworthy finding given their role in forage fermentation—though Ruminococcus increased in the caecum and colon; microbial diversity improved significantly across most regions. The pronounced changes in the stomach warrant careful consideration by practitioners, as prebiotics' foremost effects appear to occur in the foregut rather than the hindgut, suggesting potential benefits for gastric health but requiring investigation into whether reduced fibrolytic capacity might affect hindgut fermentation efficiency or overall digestive outcomes.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Jerusalem artichoke meal as a prebiotic supplement can shift the equine stomach microbiota toward beneficial Lactobacillus, potentially improving gastric health and reducing pathogenic Streptococcus colonization
- •While prebiotic supplementation increases microbial diversity overall, monitor hindgut fiber fermentation capacity as fibrolytic bacteria reduction may affect hindgut function in prolonged use
- •This natural prebiotic option offers practitioners a feed additive strategy for modulating GI health, though longer-term studies are needed to assess sustained effects and optimal dosing
Key Findings
- •Jerusalem artichoke meal supplementation increased relative abundance of Lactobacillus and decreased Streptococcus in the stomach (P < 0.05)
- •Prebiotic supplementation increased microbial diversity across nearly all gastrointestinal regions (P < 0.05)
- •Hindgut fibrolytic bacteria (Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae families) were reduced with prebiotic supplementation
- •Foregut effects were more pronounced than hindgut effects, suggesting stomach health implications warrant careful consideration