Maternal supplementation with Dipteryx alata Vog. modulates fecal microbiota diversity, accelerates reflex ontogeny, and improves non-associative and spatial memory in the offspring of rats

[Display omitted] •Maternal consumption of baru increases beneficial microorganisms in the feces of rat pups.•Treatment with baru increased the of PUFAs in the brain of rats pups treated during early life;•Reflex ontogeny is accelerated in rat offspring treated with baru oil and almonds;•Maternal treatment with Baru almond and oil improved memory in rat’s offspring. Maternal diet plays a crucial role in offspring development, directly affecting neural development and gut microbiota composition. This study aimed to assess if baru almond and oil (Dipteryx alata Vog.) could modulate intestinal microbiota, brain fatty acid profile, and enhance memory in offspring of rats treated during early life stages. Three groups were formed: Control- received distilled water by gavage; Oil– received 2000 mg/kg of baru oil, and Almond − received 2000 mg/kg of baru almond. Somatic development and reflex ontogenesis were evaluated in offspring during the first 21 days. In adolescence and adulthood, memory was tested using Open Field Habituation, Object Recognition, and Morris Water Maze. Brain histology and fatty acid were measured, and fecal microbiota analysis was performed. Both almond and oil groups showed increased PUFAs in breast milk and brains, accelerated reflex ontogeny, improved somatic development and better performance in the memory tests in both life stages (p