Volume: 3, 2024
3rd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: A020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL3.A020
Published online: 24 April 2024
ICDSUPL, 3, A020 (2024)
The dietary fibre with functional properties counteracted the thwarting effects of copper nanoparticles on the microbial enzymatic activity and SCFA production in the faeces of rats
Aleksandra Marzec1*, Jerzy Juśkiewicz2, Bartosz Fotschki2, Milena Juśkiewicz1, 3, Katarzyna Ognik1
1 Department of Biochemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
2 Division of Food Science, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Tuwima 10, 10-748 Olsztyn, Poland
3 Biochemstry Research Club, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: aleksandra.marzec@up.lublin.pl
Abstract
The previous in vivo studies showed that dietary addition of copper nanoparticles diminished the enzymatic and metabolic activity of caecal/faecal microbiota and thus disturb the proper functioning of the lower digestive tract. The aim of the present study was to scrutinize the hypothesis that the dietary addition of fibre with functional properties would prevent the thwarting effects of copper nanoparticles (Cu-NP) on faecal microbial metabolic activity. During the 6-week feeding study the Wistar laboratory rats were fed diets supplemented with two doses of copper nanoparticles (recommended 6.5 mg/kg or doubled) and containing four sources of fibre with various properties, i.e. control cellulose and experimental pectin, inulin, psyllium. The activity of bacterial enzymes and short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) production were analysed in the excreted faeces collected on subsequent days of feeding.
The inclusion of Cu-NP to the diet, especially in higher dose, resulted in a drastic and rapid reduction in the enzymatic activity of the microbiota in the rats’ faeces after only the first day of feeding. The addition of functional fibre to diets containing copper nanoparticles significantly increased bacterial enzyme activity as well as production of SCFA compared to diets with nanoparticles and control cellulose. The aforementioned effect was strongest and most rapidly evident with pectin, while the effect of the addition of inulin or psyllium exceeded that of pectin only in some cases, i.e. α-glucosidase activity as well as propionate and butyrate concentration. Dietary psyllium most strongly reduced faecal ammonia formation. In conclusion, the high potential of dietary fibre in the form of pectin, inulin or psyllium in reducing the suppressive effect of copper nanoparticles on the enzymatic and metabolic activity of the intestinal microbiota should be recognised.
This work was financed from the National Science Centre, Grant No. 2021/41/B/NZ9/01104.
Keywords: copper nanoparticles, dietary fibre, microbial enzymes, short-chain fatty acids, rat
How to cite
A. Marzec, J. Juśkiewicz, B. Fotschki, M. Juśkiewicz, K. Ognik, 2024. The dietary fibre with functional properties counteracted the thwarting effects of copper nanoparticles on the microbial enzymatic activity and SCFA production in the faeces of rats. In: 3rd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL3.A020