Integrative investigation of the potential impacts of Pilosocereus gounellei (A. Weber ex K. Schum. Bly. Ex Rowl) cladodes on the human intestinal microbiota

• Impacts of freeze-dried P. gounellei cladodes (FDPg) on human intestinal microbiota. • FDPg had high nutritional value and bioactive compounds linked to antioxidant properties. • Colonic fermentation of FDPg induced favorable changes in intestinal microbiota. • FDPg directed the production of several metabolites during colonic fermentation. • FDPg enhanced the antioxidant activity in the colonic fermentation medium. Pilosocereus gounellei A. Weber ex K. Schum. Bly. Ex Rowl (xique-xique) is a cactus native to the Brazilian Caatinga biome and considered a non-conventional food plant. This study evaluated the physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant capacity, and impacts on the composition and metabolic activity of human intestinal microbiota of freeze-dried P. gounellei cladodes (FDPg) during 48 h of in vitro colonic fermentation. FDPg had a high nutritional value, the presence of bioactive compounds, and antioxidant capacity. The colonic fermentation of FDPg decreased the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and increased bacterial diversity. It also increased the relative abundance of bacterial groups considered beneficial, such as Mitsuokella , Bacteroides , Megasphaera , and Acidaminococcus , and decreased the relative abundance of bacterial groups considered non-beneficial, such as Succinivibrio , Citrobacter , Escherichia-Shigella , Faecalibacterium , and Blautia . The colonic fermentation of FDPg induced the production of various metabolites related to host health promotion. The results show the potential beneficial impacts of FDPg on human intestinal microbiota.