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Review
. 2019 Dec;5(4):331-339.
doi: 10.1016/j.aninu.2019.09.001. Epub 2019 Sep 20.

Major cereal carbohydrates in relation to intestinal health of monogastric animals: A review

Tolulope O Adebowale  1   2 , Kang Yao  1   2 , Abimbola O Oso  3
Affiliations
Review

Major cereal carbohydrates in relation to intestinal health of monogastric animals: A review

Tolulope O Adebowale et al. Anim Nutr. 2019 Dec.

Abstract

Type, quality, and origin of cereals in diets of poultry and pigs could influence gut microbes and affect their diversity and function, thereby impacting the intestinal function of the monogastric animal. In this review, we focus on the major carbohydrates in cereals that interact directly with gut microbes and lead to the production of key metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), and discuss how cereal fiber impact intestinal health of poultry and pigs. An overview of how the cereals and cereals-derived carbohydrates such as beta-glucans, resistant starch, cellulose, and arabinoxylans could promote intestinal health and reduce the use of in-feed antibiotics in animal production are presented. The metabolic pathway utilized by microbes and the mechanism of action underlying the produced SCFA on intestinal health of monogastric animals is also discussed.

Keywords: Arabinoxylans; Beta-glucans; Cellulose; Intestinal health; Resistant starch; SCFA.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
An overview of carbohydrates and their metabolic end products. SCFA = short-chain fatty acids.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Summary of beneficial effects of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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