Dietary whole Goji berry (Lycium barbarum) intake improves colonic barrier function by altering gut microbiota composition in mice

Summary Diet strongly affects human health by modulating gut microbiota (GM) composition. Lycium barbarum (LB), which contains polysaccharides and polyphenols, can alter the GM and intestinal barrier function, thereby reducing and preventing the occurrence of intestinal diseases. To investigate how LB improves colonic barrier function, male C57BL/6J mice were fed diets containing 1.5% or 3% LB for 10 weeks. Results of HiSeq 16S rDNA analysis showed that LB markedly altered microbial profile by supporting the growth of Verrucomicrobia, Bacteroidetes, Bacteroidales_S24‐7_group , Anaerotruncus , Coprococcus_1 , Ruminococcaceae_UCG‐014 and Akkermansia, while suppressing Firmicutes, Helicobacter , Bacteroides and Mucispirillum . LB supported the short‐chain fatty acid (SCFA)‐producing bacteria, and the SCFA concentrations increased, while the ammonia concentrations and pH values in faeces decreased, thereby increasing the expression of tight junction proteins and mucin, subsequently improving intestinal function and histomorphology. Dietary LB, as a functional dietary component, enhanced colonic barrier function and improved gut health by altering GM composition.