The polyfructan inulin is considered to act as a prebiotic,
since it can modulate the composition and metabolic
activity of the intestinal microbiota, which might
potentially enhance the health of the host organism
[1-3]. Several studies have demonstrated that inulin can
modulate the intestinal microbiota in pigs. In particular,
bifidobacteria and lactobacilli were increased in different
segments of the intestinal tract, when inulin was added
in a concentration of 1.6% [4] and 4% [5,6] to the diets.
Moreover, a decrease of Clostridium perfringens in the
porcine digesta of the colon and rectum [7] or Clostridium
spp. and members of Enterobacteriaceae in the porcine
digesta and mucus in different segments of the intestine
[6] was reported after the dietary inclusion of inulin.
These results are conflicting, as other studies could not
demonstrate an effect of dietary inulin on the intestinal
microbiota in piglets [8,9].