Inhibition of the adhesion of Escherichia coli to human epithelial cells by carbohydrates

• Carbohydrates and health.
• Mannose-rich carbohydrates and inhibition of adhesion to epithelial cells.
• Indigestible glucomannan for prevention of infection.
• Glucomannan hydrolysate as a therapeutic approach for bacterial infection.

Mannose-containing carbohydrates provide an alternative therapeutic approach for controlling bacterial infections. The aim of this work was to compare the effects of depolymerised konjac glucomannan and other carbohydrates (including simple sugars) on the inhibition of the adhesion of Escherichia coli to human cheek epithelial cells. Sucrose, glucose, commercial galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), maltodextrin, inulin, glucomannan hydrolysates (GMH) and mannose were assessed for this purpose. The average cell counts of E. coli adhering to the epithelial cells were found to be significantly higher (P<0.01) in sucrose, glucose, commercial galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), maltodextrin and inulin compared to mannose or GMH. The use of mannose-rich carbohydrates as an approach to reduce bacterial infections could prove a successful approach although large scale studies in humans are required to characterise further the specific role of such carbohydrates with different pathogens.