Fiber from elicited butternut pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata D. cv. Ariel) modulates the human intestinal microbiota dysbiosis

Elicited pumpkin was evaluated as a potential daily consumption product able to modulate the gut microbiota. An in vitro dynamic colonic fermentation performance with microbiota from obese volunteers was used. Prebiotic effects were observed after the pumpkin treatment. Bifidobacterium abundance was maintained during the treatment period whereas Lactobacillus increased in the transversal and descending colon. Conversely, Enterobacteriaceae and Clostridium groups were more stable, although scarce decreasing trends were observed for same species. Increments of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Limosilactobacillus fermentum (old Lactobacillus fermentum ) were observed in the whole colonic tract after the treatment period. However, modulatory effects were mainly observed in the transversal and descending colon. Diverse bacteria species were increased, such as Akkermansia muciniphila , Bacteroides dorei , Cloacibacillus porcorum , Clostridium lactatifermentans , Ruminococcus albus , Ruminococcus lactaris , Coprococcus catus , Alistipes shahii or Bacteroides vulgatus . The prebiotic effect of the elicited pumpkin was provided by the fiber of the pumpkin, suggesting a release of pectin molecules in the transversal and distal colonic tract through low cellulosic fiber degradation, explaining the increases in the total propionic and butyric acid in these colonic sections. Also, a possible modulatory role of carotenoids from the sample was suggested since carotenes were found in the descending colon. Hence, the results of this research highlighted pumpkin as a natural product able to modulate the microbiota towards a healthier profile.