Effects of Different Feeding Methods on the Structure, Metabolism, and Gas Production of Infant and Toddler Intestinal Flora and Their Mechanisms

Abstract

In this study, we evaluated the effects of different feeding methods on the characteristics of intestinal flora and gas production in infants and toddlers by using an in vitro simulated intestinal microecology fermentation and organoid model. We found that the feeding method influences intestinal gas and fecal ammonia production in infants and toddlers. Supplementation with milk powder for infants in the late lactation period could promote the proliferation of beneficial bacteria, including Bifidobacteria. Intestinal flora gas production in a culture medium supplemented with fucosyllactose (2′-FL) was significantly lower than that in media containing other carbon sources. In conclusion, 2′-FL may reduce gas production in infant and toddler guts through two mechanisms: first, it cannot be used by harmful intestinal bacteria to produce gas; second, it can inhibit intestinal mucosa colonization by harmful bacteria by regulating the expression of intestinal epithelial pathogenic genes/signaling pathways, thus reducing the proliferation of gas-producing harmful bacteria in the gut.