IN VITRO FERMENTATION OF DIFFERENT SOURCES OF SOLUBLE FIBER BY DOG FAECAL INOCULUM

Prebiotics are non-digestible food ingredients that beneficially affect the host by selectively stimulating growth and/or activity of one or a limited number of bacteria in the colon. The present study investigated the effect of different fiber sources on dog faecal microflora using an in vitro fermentation system. Substrates were lactitol, sugar beet pulp, citrus pectin and chicory. Gas production was increased by all substrates. Slurry ammonia concentration was decreased after 6 h by beet pulp, citrus pectin, and chicory. After 24 h, total SCFA, acetate, and butyrate were increased by citrus pectin, whereas lactobacilli counts were increased by lactitol and chicory. The present study showed that dog faecal microflora was able to ferment all tested fiber sources. Furthermore, considering the various effects produced by the tested substrates, a diet for dogs containing a blend of different fiber sources is likely to be the best solution in order to improve animal intestinal healt