The Impact of Camel Milk Consumption on Modulation and Abundance of Gut Microbiota

Abstract

Previous studies explored the nutritional, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-tumor properties of camel milk but the precise mechanisms by which camel milk induces these health benefits remain to be investigated. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of camel milk on the diversity and abundance of gut microbiota. 15 male subjects were enrolled in the cohort (follow-up) study. To evaluate the impact of camel milk on gut microbiota, each subject received 330ml of camel milk four times/every week for one month. A stool sample was collected from each subject before starting milk feeding and after one month of the milk diet. Each stool sample was subjected to bacterial DNA extraction by using the commercial Kit. Next, all DNA samples were subjected to 16s rRNA sequencing. The observed species and Chao1 indices are higher after (Group B) camel milk consumption, P˃0.05. Shannon was also higher after camel milk consumption (Group B) but it is not significant. The shift in gut microbiota following milk consumption was characterized by a significant increase in Methanobrevibacter, Subdoligranulum, and bacillus. Notably, smoking significantly decrease the abundance of Bifidobacterium, and excise improves the abundance of Lachnospiraceae, P˂0.05. On correlation, Bifidobacterium and several beneficial bacteria were negatively correlated with age. The study provides insight concerning the effect of camel’s milk on gut microbiota, which is key in understanding the impact of camel’s milk on health.