LAUSR

BACKGROUND Edible palm hearts (EPH) or known as palmito, chonta or swamp cabbage in America countries, or "umbut" in Malaysia is a type of vegetable harvested from palm tree species. The EPH is appeared firm and smooth and described to have a flavor resembling the artichoke which have underlying prebiotic potential that selectively stimulate the growth and activity of beneficial colonic microbiota, thus enhancing the host's health. This study is the first to present results of EPH from local species such as oil palm (Elaeis guineensis), sago palm (Metroxylon sagu) and coconut (Cocos nucifera) using in vitro colonic fermentation with human faecal. Samples obtained at 0, 6, 12 and 24 hours were evaluated by bacterial enumeration using fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) by High-Performances Liquid Chromatograph (HPLC). RESULTS All EPH samples revealed induction effects towards Bifidobacterium spp., Lactobacillus-Enterococcus and Bacteroidaceae/ Prevotellaceae populations similar to those in inulin fermentation. Significant decrease (p ≤ 0.05) in pathogenic Clostridium histolyticum group was observed in the response of raw sago palm hearts. In general, all samples stimulate the production of SCFA. Particularly in the colonic fermentation of sago palm heart, the acetate and propionate revealed the highest concentration of 286.18 mM and 284.83 mM in raw and cooked form respectively. CONCLUSION This study concluded that edible palm hearts can be a potential prebiotic ingredient that promotes human gastrointestinal health, as well as discovering a new direction towards an alternative source of functional foods. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.