Degradation of Monosaccharides, Disaccharides, and Fructans in the Stomach of Horses Adapted to a Prebiotic Dose of Fructooligosaccharides and Inulin.

The research article investigates the impact of prebiotic supplementation on the breakdown of sugars and fructans in horse stomachs by comparing horses who received a supplement of fructooligosaccharides and inulin through Jerusalem artichoke meal (JAM) with those who received a placebo without grains.

Research Methodology

• The study was conducted over a period of 20 days, with 12 horses divided into two groups.
• One group received a prebiotic supplement called Jerusalem Artichoke Meal (JAM), which is rich in fructooligosaccharides and inulin.
• The other group received a corncob meal without grains (CMG) as a placebo.
• An hour after feeding, the horses were euthanized and the gastric digesta were sampled from two different parts of their stomach: pars nonglandularis (PNG) and pars glandularis (PG).
• The concentrations of starch, mono- and disaccharides, fructans, d- and l-lactic acid, and short-chain fatty acids in the stomach were analyzed.

Findings

• When JAM was supplemented, there were similar concentrations of starch and simple sugars compared to when it was not supplemented.
• However, the amount of fructans decreased noticeably with JAM supplementation. Without JAM supplement, fructans were less than half as much.
• There was a greater disappearance of glucose, fructose, sucrose, and fructans with prebiotic supplementation than without.
• For example, the percentage of these components remaining in the PNG after feeding was significantly lower in the group that was fed JAM compared to the group fed CMG.
• However, the fructose levels remaining in PG were slightly higher in the JAM fed group than in the CMG group.
• The decrease of simple sugars and fructans correlated with the emergence of n-butyric acid. It indicates that the breakdown of these components may be linked to the activity of this acid.

Implications

• The findings of the study suggest that the use of prebiotic supplements may have a positive effect on the digestion of monosaccharides, disaccharides, and fructans in the stomachs of horses.
• These results could have further implications for the optimization of equine diets and feeding strategies, as it could lead to improvements in the digestive efficiency and overall health of horses.