Research: Can Hops Help Control Fructan Fermentation in the Equine Hindgut?

The following research conducted at the University of Kentucky looked into the potential that hops could be used to control fructan fermentation in the hindgut of horses. The authors concluded that, “These results are consistent with the hypothesis that hops β-acid prevented the growth of fructan-fermenting equine fecal bacteria, and that the mechanism of action was dissipation of the intracellular potassium of S. bovis.”

The article entitled “Inhibition of fructan-fermenting equine fecal bacteria and Streptococcus bovis by hops (Humulus lupulus L.) β-acid” was published in Applied Microbiology and can be found online at Wiley.com.

Abstract

The goals were to determine if β-acid from hops (Humulus lupulus L.) could be used to control fructan fermentation by equine hindgut microorganisms, and to verify the antimicrobial mode of action on Streptococcus bovis, which has been implicated in fructan fermentation, hindgut acidosis, and pasture associated laminitis (PAL) in the horse.”

Authors

Brittany E. Harlow, University of Kentucky, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Lexington, Kentucky

Laurie M. Lawrence, University of Kentucky, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Lexington, Kentucky

Isabelle A. Kagan, USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Forage-Animal Production Research Unit, Lexington, Kentucky; and University of Kentucky, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Lexington, Kentucky

Michael D. Flythe, University of Kentucky, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Lexington, Kentucky

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