Gut microbiota has been described as a new 'organ' that interferes with host physiology by its metabolites produced from the utilization and biotransformation of undigested food components. Fu Ling (FL), the sclerotia of fungi Wolfiporia cocos, contains β-glucan, which is a known natural polysaccharide with strong medicinal efficacy. This study endeavors to evaluate the fermentability of FL and polysaccharides extracted from its sclerotia. An in vitro fermentation of structurally characterized FL and its β-glucan by human fecal microbiota was conducted. Total bacterial count, pH change, short-chain fatty acid profile and microbiota profile were assessed post-fermentation. FL containing over 70% of β-(1 → 3) and (1 → 6)-glucans with a low degree of branching of 0.24 could enhance acetic acid (a major microbial metabolite) production. Both FL and its extracted β-glucan had similar modulation on microbial composition. They enriched Phascolarctobacterium faecium, Bacteroides dorei and Parabacteroides distasonis, all of which are shown to possess anti-inflammatory effects. FL polysaccharide can be utilized as a natural whole food for its potential health benefits to human gut bacteria.
Keywords: Fu Ling; beta glucan; gut microflora composition; in vitro fermentability; prebiotics.