Effects of Araticum (Annona crassiflora Mart.) By-Product on Intestinal Health Parameters in High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice.

Obesity is a major public health issue associated with metabolic disturbances and alteration in the gut microbiota. Studies indicate that bioactive compounds can modulate these processes, and fruit by-products represent a promising source of such compounds. This study investigated the impact of araticum (Annona crassiflora Mart.) by-product on intestinal microbiota composition and obesity biomarkers in mice fed a high-fat diet. The by-product was characterized for technological and proximate composition. Forty-six Swiss mice were randomized into four groups: a control diet group, a high-fat diet group, a high-fat diet + araticum by-product (200 mg kg-1) group, and a high-fat diet + araticum by-product (400 mg kg-1) group. After 30 days, murinometric, biochemical, and histological parameters and the composition of microbiota were assessed. The by-product contained 8.04 g.100 g-1 of moisture, 11.17 g.100 g-1 of protein, 9.79 g.100 g-1 of lipids, 53.29 g.100 g-1 of total fiber (3.96 g.100 g-1 soluble and 49.33 g.100 g-1 insoluble), 2.97 g.100 g-1 of ash, and 14.74 g.100 g-1 of digestible carbohydrates. Araticum by-product consumption did not affect weight gain or glucose tolerance but increased fecal moisture content and reduced pH. Regarding gut microbiota composition, the supplemented groups showed a trend toward a higher relative abundance of Firmicutes. In the group receiving the highest dose of araticum by-product (400 mg kg-1), more intense intestinal PAS staining was observed, which may indicate a greater presence of PAS-positive mucin-containing structures. These preliminary findings suggest that the araticum by-product may influence selected intestinal parameters, although its functional effects require confirmation in longer-term and mechanistic studies.