In Vitro Assessment of the Prebiotic Effects of Poria Cocos Polysaccharides Using Fecal Microbiota from Normal-Weight and Obese Children.

ABSTRACT: Poria cocos polysaccharides (PCP) are recognized as potential prebiotics with documented metabolic benefits in adults. However, their impact on the gut microbiota of children remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of PCP versus inulin (INL) on the gut microbiota and bacterial metabolites in normal-weight children (CON) and obese children (OB). In vitro fermentation was conducted using fecal samples pooled from five normal-weight children and five obese children, respectively. The samples were incubated with PCP, INL, or a blank control under anaerobic conditions at 37 °C for 24 h. After fermentation, the effects of PCP and INL on gut microbiota were evaluated using 16S rRNA sequencing. Bacteria-derived metabolites were measured using targeted metabolic profiling. Single-

SUBMITTER: Qiu DY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12692152 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature