Fermentation of fenugreek fiber, psyllium husk, and wheat bran by Bacteroides ovatus V975

The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of the human coloni c bacterium Bacteroides ovatus V975 to ferment fenugreek fiber (Fenufibers( TM)), psyllium husk (Metamucil(R)), and wheat bran (Wheat Chex). Strain V97 5 was incubated in basal medium that contained 0.1 g of each fiber source f or 0, 24, or 48 h. Little digestion of either fiber source was detected ove r 48 h, and little acetate or succinate was produced. From the lack of sign ificant fiber digestion and fermentation by B. ovatus, it seems that all th ree fiber sources could be used as dietary supplements to increase roughage in the human diet.