Galacto-Oligosaccharides Exert Bifidogenic Effects at Capsule-Compatible Ultra-Low Doses.

BACKGROUND

Prebiotics are selectively used by host microorganisms to promote health. Because effective prebiotic doses (1.5-30 g/day) often require inconvenient delivery formats, this study aims to explore whether capsule-compatible doses of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) can effectively modulate the gut microbiome.

METHODS

The impact of Bimuno GOS (Reading, UK) at 0.5, 0.75, 1.83, and 3.65 g on the adult gut microbiome was assessed using the ex vivo SIFR technology ( = 8), a clinically validated, bioreactor-based technology.

RESULTS

The GOS were rapidly fermented and significantly increased beneficial species (, and ), even at the lowest tested dose. In doing so, GOS strongly promoted SCFA production, particularly acetate (significant from 0.5 g) and butyrate (significant from 0.75 g). Gas production only mildly increased, likely as species do not produce gases. Based on the ability of the SIFR technology to cultivate strictly anaerobic, hard-to-culture gut microbes, unlike in past in vitro studies, we elucidated that GOS also enriched specific species. Besides , this included , species (, , ), , and species. Finally, GOS also promoted propionate (significant from 0.75 g), linked to increases in .

CONCLUSIONS

GOS displayed prebiotic potential at capsule-compatible doses, offering greater flexibility in nutritional product formulation and consumer convenience. Notably, the strong response at the lowest dose suggests effective microbiome modulation at lower levels than previously expected.