Exploring an ideal carrier for superfine wheat bran dietary fiber is important for maximizing its health benefits. This study evaluated the batter rheology, texture, gel network structure, and starch digestibility of steamed sponge cake (SPC) enriched with wheat bran of different particle sizes at 10%, 20%, and 30% addition. The Results indicated that to maintain the quality (appearance, texture, and sensory attributes) of SPC without significant compromise, the addition of coarse bran (84-1110) µm should not exceed 10%. However, for superfine wheat bran (19 μm), increasing the addition from 10% to 30% did not impair the hardness, springiness, overall acceptability, gas cell structure, and relatively intact starch gel network of SPC. Moreover, the starch digestibility of SPC with 30% superfine wheat bran decreased from 90.1% (control) to 81.6%, and resistant starch content increased by 85.9%. This study suggests that products not requiring gluten development could be ideal carriers for high levels of micronized dietary fiber.

Soy polysaccharide (SP) has been reported to possess the properties of modulating gut microbiome diversity. Here, we aimed to explore the protective effects of SP against dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Pre-treatment with SP at a dosage of 400 mg/kg·day alleviated colitis symptoms, preventing the weight loss and colon shorten. SP suppressed DSS-induced inflammatory response and enhanced M1 to M2 macrophage polarization. Further investigation showed that SP significantly promoted the regeneration of crypt and the expansion of goblet cell production. In addition, bacterial 16S rRNA sequencing analysis showed that SP modulated the composition of fecal microbiota, including selectively increasing Lactobacillus relative abundance. Notably, SP treatment enriched the production of Lactobacillus-derived lactic acid, which was sensed by its specific G-protein-coupled receptor 81 (Gpr81)/Wnt3/β-catenin signaling, and promoted the regeneration of intestinal stem cells. Fecal microbiome transplantation demonstrated that intestinal flora partially contributed to the beneficial effects of SP on preventing against colitis. In conclusion, SP exhibited the protective effects against colitis, which could be partly associated with modulating the composition of gut microbiota and enrichment of lactic acid. This study suggests that SP has potential to be developed as nutritional intervention to prevent colitis.

Dietary fiber (DF) is believed to provide important health benefits and it has become a research hotspot. DF exists in most natural foods, including fruits (16.74%–91.24%), vegetables (6.53%–85.19%), grains (9.76%–69.20%) and so on. DF has different physicochemical properties such as water holding capacity (WHC) (2.01–25.03 g/g), water swelling capacity (WSC) (0.95–23.90 mL/g), oil holding capacity (OHC) (0.65–29.00 g/g), glucose adsorption capacity (GAC) (0.17–4.65 mmol/g), cholesterol adsorption capacity (CAC) (0.03–37.10 mg/g) and viscosity, which make it exhibits different physiological functions such as reducing the risk of obesity, diabetes, cancer, and intestinal diseases. On the basis of consulting related databases, the physicochemical properties of DF and its derived physiological functions are reviewed. It is found that DF has effect on the prevention and treatment of obesity due to good WHC, WSC, OHC and CAC. Good GAC can relieve the symptoms of diabetes. The physicochemical properties of WHC and WSC can reduce the risk of cancer. The WHC, WSC and viscosity are beneficial to intestinal health.