In vitro activities of inulin fermentation products to HCT-116 cells enhanced by the cooperation between exogenous strains and adult faecal microbiota

Abstract

Inulin was fermented by adult faecal microbiota and 10 exogenous strains for 24 or 48 h. The contents of acetate, propionate, butyrate and lactate were quantified in the fermented products, and the growth-inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing effects on a human colon cell line (HCT-116 cells) were assessed. Most of these strains increased contents of acetate, propionate and butyrate, and promoted lactate conversion. Correlation analysis suggested that butyrate and lactate in the fermentation products were positively and negatively correlated with the measured inhibition ratios (p < .05). The results were mostly consistent with the verification trial results using standard acid solutions. The fermentation products could cause apoptosis via inducing DNA fragmentation and increasing total apoptotic populations in the treated cells. Moreover, the fermentation products with higher growth-inhibitory activities demonstrated the increased apoptosis-inducing properties. In conclusion, these strains could cooperate with adult faecal microbiota to confer inulin fermentation products with higher anti-colon cancer activity.

Keywords:

• Inulin
• fermentation
• adult faecal microbiota
• exogenous microorganisms
• anti-cancer activity
• HCT-116 cells

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the anonymous referees and editors for their valuable advice.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the Specialized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education of China (Project No. 20092325110012).