SRA

This study evaluated the potential prebiotic properties of cassava cultivars from Northeast (Doce mel and Ourinhos (OUR)) and South (Baiana, and IPR-Upira (UPI)) of Brazil in vitro fermentation systems. The cultivars were evaluated for the chemical composition, effects on probiotics Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lacticaseibacillus casei, and Bifidobacterium animalis growth, metabolic activity, and prebiotic activity scores. The effects on the fecal microbiota of celiac individuals using 16S rRNA gene sequencing were also determined. Cassava cultivars have variable amounts of fiber, resistant starch, fructooligosaccharides (FOS), organic acids, phenolic compounds, and sugars, with OUR and UPI cultivars standing out. OUR and UPI cultivars contributed to the increase in the proliferation rates of L. acidophilus, L. casei, and B. animalis, resulting in greater effects than FOS, an established prebiotic compound. Also, the positive scores of prebiotic activity with probiotic strains, indicating OUR and UPI ability to stimulate beneficial bacteria while limiting enteric competitors selectively. In addition, OUR and UPI promoted increased relative abundance of Bifidobacteriaceae, Enterococcaceae, and Lactobacillaceae in the fecal microbiota of celiac individuals, while decreased Coriobacteriales, Bacteroidales, Lachnospirales, Oscillospirales, and Verrucomicrobiales. Results show that cassava cultivars caused beneficial changes in the composition and metabolic activity of the human intestinal microbiota of celiacs. OUR and UPI cultivars from the Northeast and South of Brazil, respectively should be considered potential prebiotic ingredients for use in the formulation of functional foods and dietary supplements.