Avaliação das propriedades prebióticas do subproduto de araticum (Annona crassiflora Mart.) em modelo animal

Abstract

Obesity is a serious public health problem that affects the quality of life of people all over the world. Studies indicate that bioactive compounds present in foods could modulate obesity related biomarkers, including the intestinal microbiota. Fruit by-products generally contain significant amounts of these compounds. In view of the above and considering the growing scientific interest in studying the bioactive properties of Brazilian native fruits, the aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of consuming the araticum by-product (Annona crassiflora Mart.) on the composition of the intestinal microbiota and obesity biomarkers in mice on a high fat diet. The araticum by-product was characterized in terms of its technological characteristics and the centesimal composition. Subsequently, an in vivo trial was carried out to determine the biological effect of consuming the araticum by-product. Forty-six Swiss mice were randomized into four groups: control diet, high-fat diet, high-fat diet + araticum by-product (200mg kg⁻¹) and high-fat diet + araticum by-product (400mg kg⁻¹). The animals consumed the araticum by product for 30 days and then murinometric, biochemical and histological parameters and the composition of the intestinal microbiota were evaluated. The centesimal composition of the by product is characterized by 8.04g.100g-1 of moisture, 11.17g.100g⁻¹ of protein, 9.79g.100g⁻¹ of lipids, 53.29g.100g⁻¹ of total fibre (3.96g.100g⁻¹ of which is soluble fibre and 49.33g.100g⁻¹ of which is insoluble fibre), 2.97g.100g⁻¹ of ash and 14.74g.100g⁻¹ of digestible carbohydrates. Consumption of araticum by-product did not affect weight gain and glucose tolerance. However, consumption of araticum by-product increased moisture and reduced fecal pH. In the intestinal microbiota, the araticum by-product increased the species richness of bacteria from the firmicutes phylum. In the group that received the highest dose of araticum (400mg kg⁻¹), the intense coloration observed in the intestine using the PAS staining method indicated a significant increase in the amount of intestinal mucus, suggesting greater protection of the microvillus. Overall, we can conclude that the araticum by-product is a source of fiber and has been shown to modulate the microbiota, preserving the intestinal mucosa in the animal model tested.