Chapter 10 – Cereal Grain Fractions as Potential Sources of Prebiotics: Current Status, Opportunities, and Potential Applications

Abstract Prebiotics, which can serve as substrates for beneficial gut bacteria, have been shown to suppress harmful intestinal bacteria, regulate balance of gut microbial, and thus promote human and animal health. Cereal grains such as corn, wheat, rice, barley, and oats are potential economic sources to further develop new classes of prebiotics. In this chapter, prebiotic compounds, mostly polysaccharide components of the cereal grains, are discussed with respect to their occurrences, extraction, and enrichments, in the context of grain processing and by-product utilization. Results of in vitro and in vivo studies are also discussed in terms of use of the cereal grain fractions as prebiotics, their responses to foodborne pathogens, feeding amendments, and limiting colonization in the gastrointestinal tract. Economic and market opportunities as well as future research need are also included as topics of discussion.