Pectins intestinal bacteria

Non-starch polysaccharides A group of polysaccharides other than starch which occur in plant foods. They are not digested by human enzymes, although they may be fermented by intestinal bacteria. They provide the major part of dietary fibre. The main non-starch polysaccharides are cellulose, hemicellulose (insoluble non-starch polysaccharides) and pectin and the plant gums and mucilages (soluble non-starch polysaccharides). 

Macleod et al. [92] have studied the potential of pectin-chitosan-hydroxypropyl methylcellulose films for colonic drug delivery [92]. The results showed that in all cases the tablets were able to pass through the stomach and small intestine intact. The tablets started to break up once they were in the colon, due to degradation of the coat by colonic bacteria. 

Yet when p-carotene is coated with pectin (edible coating), the pectin prevents p-carotene — or other carotenoids as well as fat-soluble compounds — from being absorbed in the upper parts of the small intestine. As a consequence, these coated compoimds can be transported via the chymus to the colon, where the pectin is broken down to short-chain fatty acids by bacteria. These fatty acids play an important role as growth regulators of the colonic mucosa cells. At the same time, the active agents, such as p-carotene, are released and can then be absorbed by the mucosa. 

Adsorbents such as kaolin, pectin, or attapulgite are administered to take up and hold harmful substances such as bacteria and toxins in the intestinal lumen.44 Theoretically, these adsorbents sequester the harmful products that cause the diarrhea. These products are used frequently in minor diarrhea, although there is some doubt as to whether they really help decrease stool production and water loss. 

In vitro studies have demonstrated the potential beneficial effect of pectic substances on the intestinal health. Regarding bacterial adhesion in epithelial cells, pectin promotes adhesion of beneficial bacteria such as LactxybaciUus rhamnosus, and decreases the adhesion of pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella typhimurium [72]. Similarly, the effect of prebiotic oligosaccharides as pectin, showed increment in the population of Bifidobacteria and Eubacterium rectal as well as the increment in butyrate concentrations was demonstrated, which positively health impacts [58]. 

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