Compositional_changes_in_the_human_gut_microbiota_driven_by_different_dietary_fibres_are_species_specific. Compositional_changes_in_the_human_gut_microbiota_driven_by_different_dietary_fibres_are_species_specific

The gut microbiota is influenced by dietary intake. To gain a better understanding of the factors involved, we supplied alternative dietary fibres as energy sources to three different human gut microbial communities in pH-controlled continuous flow fermentors. The communities enriched by apple pectin and inulin did not differ greatly at the phylum and family level, but were strikingly different at the species level. Of the eight most abundant Bacteroides species detected, for example, two were promoted specifically by inulin and six specifically by pectin. Responses were quantitatively influenced by pH, which was stepped between 5.5, 6.0, 6.4 and 6.9 within each experiment. The development of prebiotics intended to benefit human health must therefore take account of the highly individual species profiles that may result.