Wheat dextrin and gut bacteria in a colon model
What it found
In a lab model of the human colon, wheat dextrin increased total bacteria and butyrate-producing groups, and raised levels of acetate, propionate and butyrate.
This was done in a gut model, not in people.
What they found
Animal and lab studies
Total bacteria
Wheat dextrin significantly increased total bacteria in the vessels simulating the transverse and distal colon. There was no significant change in the proximal colon vessel.
Butyrate-producing bacteria
Counts of Clostridium cluster XIVa and Roseburia genus increased significantly in all three vessels. These groups are key butyrate producers in the human gut.
Other bacteria
There were no significant changes in bifidobacteria, lactobacilli/enterococci, Bacteroides, Atopobium-Coriobacterium or E. coli. Clostridium perfringens was below the detection level.
Short-chain fatty acids
Butyrate increased significantly in all three vessels. Acetate increased in the transverse and distal colon vessels but fell in the proximal vessel. Propionate rose in the distal colon vessel and fell in the proximal vessel.
What the authors conclude
“In conclusion, wheat dextrin NUTRIOSE(®) FB06 is selectively fermented in vitro by Clostridium cluster XIVa and Roseburia genus and beneficially alters the metabolic profile of the human gut microbiota.”
Also in their conclusions
- They say wheat dextrin is selectively fermented by Clostridium cluster XIVa and Roseburia genus and beneficially alters the metabolic profile of the human gut microbiota.
- They note that it did not increase Bifidobacterium or Lactobacillus, so it does not have a classical prebiotic effect.
- They call for future human intervention studies to establish the effects of wheat dextrin on gut bacteria, appetite regulation and metabolism.
How it was done
The authors wanted to understand how wheat dextrin changes the make-up and activity of gut bacteria, since these changes may affect metabolism and health.
They used three lab models of the human colon, each with three vessels that mimic the proximal, transverse and distal colon. They added 7 g of wheat dextrin twice a day for 18 days and measured bacterial groups and organic acids.
What it can’t tell you
- This was a lab model using faecal samples, not a study in people. It cannot show what happens in the human body.
- The model cannot show whether these changes in gut bacteria would affect appetite, weight or health in people.
Who paid
- Conflicts
- Competing Interests: Roquette provided financial support for this study. Laetitia Guérin-Deremaux and Daniel Wils are employees of Roquette. NUTRIOSE® is a commercially available food product. This does not alter the authors’ adherence to all the PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.
- Authors work at
- The University of Reading, United Kingdom
The paper
- Title
- In vitro fermentation of NUTRIOSE(®) FB06, a wheat dextrin soluble fibre, in a continuous culture human colonic model system
- Type
- Study
- Evidence
- Animals and lab studies
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Hobden MR, Martin-Morales A, Guérin-Deremaux L, et al (2013). In vitro fermentation of NUTRIOSE(®) FB06, a wheat dextrin soluble fibre, in a continuous culture human colonic model system. PloS one. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0077128Free full textPubMed 24204753DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error