Effects of a dietary β-(1,3)(1,6)-D-glucan supplementation on intestinal microbial communities and intestinal ultrastructure of mirror carp (<i>Cyprinus carpio</i> L.)

Abstract

To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the effects of β-(1,3)(1,6)-D-glucans on fish gut microbial communities, using culture-independent methods, and the ultrastructure of the apical brush border of the enterocytes in fish. This prebiotic-type effect may help to explain the mechanisms in which β-glucans provide benefits when fed to fish.