Integrative investigation of the potential impacts of Pilosocereus gounellei (A. Weber ex K. Schum. Bly. Ex Rowl) cladodes on the human intestinal microbiota

Pilosocereus gounellei A. Weber ex K. Schum. Bly. Ex Rowl (xique-xique) is a cactus native to the Brazilian Caatinga biome and considered a non-conventional food plant. This study evaluated the physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant capacity, and impacts on the composition and metabolic activity of human intestinal microbiota of freeze-dried P. gounellei cladodes (FDPg) during 48 h of in vitro colonic fermentation. FDPg had a high nutritional value, the presence of bioactive compounds, and antioxidant capacity. The colonic fermentation of FDPg decreased the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and increased bacterial diversity. It also increased the relative abundance of bacterial groups considered beneficial, such as Mitsuokella, Bacteroides, Megasphaera, and Acidaminococcus, and decreased the relative abundance of bacterial groups considered non-beneficial, such as Succinivibrio, Citrobacter, Escherichia-Shigella, Faecalibacterium, and Blautia. The colonic fermentation of FDPg induced the production of various metabolites related to host health promotion. The results show the potential beneficial impacts of FDPg on human intestinal microbiota.