Browsing by Author "Wall C"

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    Food-breastmilk combinations alter the colonic microbiome of weaning infants: an in silico study
    (American Society for Microbiology, 2024-09) da Silva VG; Smith NW; Mullaney JA; Wall C; Roy NC; McNabb WC; Garrido D
    The introduction of solid foods to infants, also known as weaning, is a critical point for the development of the complex microbial community inhabiting the human colon, impacting host physiology in infancy and later in life. This research investigated in silico the impact of food-breastmilk combinations on growth and metabolite production by colonic microbes of New Zealand weaning infants using the metagenome-scale metabolic model named Microbial Community. Eighty-nine foods were individually combined with breastmilk, and the 12 combinations with the strongest influence on the microbial production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs) were identified. Fiber-rich and polyphenol-rich foods, like pumpkin and blackcurrant, resulted in the greatest increase in predicted fluxes of total SCFAs and individual fluxes of propionate and acetate when combined, respectively, with breastmilk. Identified foods were further combined with other foods and breastmilk, resulting in 66 multiple food-breastmilk combinations. These combinations altered in silico the impact of individual foods on the microbial production of SCFAs and BCFAs, suggesting that the interaction between the dietary compounds composing a meal is the key factor influencing colonic microbes. Blackcurrant combined with other foods and breastmilk promoted the greatest increase in the production of acetate and total SCFAs, while pork combined with other foods and breastmilk decreased the production of total BCFAs. IMPORTANCE Little is known about the influence of complementary foods on the colonic microbiome of weaning infants. Traditional in vitro and in vivo microbiome methods are limited by their resource-consuming concerns. Modeling approaches represent a promising complementary tool to provide insights into the behavior of microbial communities. This study evaluated how foods combined with other foods and human milk affect the production of short-chain fatty acids and branched-chain fatty acids by colonic microbes of weaning infants using a rapid and inexpensive in silico approach. Foods and food combinations identified here are candidates for future experimental investigations, helping to fill a crucial knowledge gap in infant nutrition.
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    Māori first foods: a Māori centred approach to understanding infant complementary feeding practices within Māori whānau
    (Taylor and Francis Group on behalf of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 2022) Rapata H; Heath A-LM; Wall C; Taylor R; Te Morenga L
    This study sought to explore infant complementary feeding practices among Māori whānau and the extent to which they may be informed by traditional and culturally specific practices, knowledge, personal beliefs and values. This study also endeavoured to explore how these practices, values and beliefs may have changed across time and between generations. Māori-centred qualitative methods were used within a theoretical framework of Kaupapa Māori and socioecological theories. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analysed using Braun & Clarke’s method of thematic analysis to uncover key themes and a new theory for understanding infant feeding among Māori whānau. The themes and theories identified through this project suggest that infant complementary feeding is believed to be a natural and instinctive process for Māori whānau, one that is undergoing a process of decolonisation across generations. These theories indicate that Te Ao Māori centred living, grounded in mātauranga Māori is integral to infant feeding values and practices within Māori whānau. It is also clear that many Māori parents desire more culturally relevant infant nutrition information and support. Our findings should inform future updates to infant complementary feeding guidelines within Aotearoa New Zealand, as well as developments in infant nutrition information and support.