Effects of short-chain fructooligosaccharides and galactooligosaccharides, individually and in combination, on nutrient digestibility, fecal fermentative metabolite concentrations, and large bowel microbial ecology of healthy adult cats

Short-chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS) and galactooligosaccharides (GOS) are non-digestible oligosaccharides that result in a prebiotic effect in some animal species; however, the cat has not been well studied in this regard. This experiment evaluated scFOS and GOS supplementation on nutrient digestibility, fermentative end-product production, and fecal microbial ecology of cats. Eight healthy adult cats were fed diets containing no prebiotic, 0.5% scFOS, 0.5% GOS, or 0.5% scFOS + 0.5% GOS (scFOS+GOS) in a replicated 4x4 Latin square design. Apparent total tract crude protein digestibility was decreased (P < 0.05) when cats were fed a diet containing scFOS + GOS compared to the other treatments. Dry matter, OM, acid hydrolyzed fat, and GE digestibilities were not different among treatments. Cats fed scFOS-, GOS-, and scFOS+GOS-supplemented diets had greater (P < 0.05) fecal Bifidobacterium spp. populations compared to cats fed the control diet. Fecal pH was lower (P < 0.05) for cats fed the scFOS+GOS-supplemented diet compared to the control. Butyrate (P = 0.05) and valerate (P < 0.05) concentrations were higher when cats consumed the scFOS+GOS diet. Acetate tended to be greater (P = 0.10) when cats were fed the scFOS+GOS diet. Total SCFA (P = 0.06) and total BCFA (P = 0.06) concentrations also tended to be greater when cats consumed the scFOS+GOS treatment. Fecal protein catabolites, including ammonia, 4-methylphenol, indole, and biogenic amines, did not differ among treatments, nor did blood lymphocytes, neutrophils, or total white blood cell counts, or fecal DM concentration and output. Low level supplementation of scFOS, GOS, and their combination exert positive effects on select indices of gut health in cats

Expert consensus document: The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) consensus statement on the definition and scope of prebiotics

In December 2016, a panel of experts in microbiology, nutrition and clinical research was convened by the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics to review the definition and scope of prebiotics. Consistent with the original embodiment of prebiotics, but aware of the latest scientific and clinical developments, the panel updated the definition of a prebiotic: a substrate that is selectively utilized by host microorganisms conferring a health benefit. This definition expands the concept of prebiotics to possibly include non-carbohydrate substances, applications to body sites other than the gastrointestinal tract, and diverse categories other than food. The requirement for selective microbiota-mediated mechanisms was retained. Beneficial health effects must be documented for a substance to be considered a prebiotic. The consensus definition applies also to prebiotics for use by animals, in which microbiota-focused strategies to maintain health and prevent disease is as relevant as for humans. Ultimately, the goal of this Consensus Statement is to engender appropriate use of the term ‘prebiotic’ by relevant stakeholders so that consistency and clarity can be achieved in research reports, product marketing and regulatory oversight of the category. To this end, we have reviewed several aspects of prebiotic science including its development, health benefits and legislation