To study the impact of starch malabsorption on fecal short-chain fatty acid concentrations, 11 healthy volunteers consumed a controlled diet rich in starch for 2 4-week periods. They received the glucosidase inhibitor acarbose (Bay g 5421) in one of the study periods and placebo in the other. Stool wet weight increased by 68% and stool dry weight by 57% with acarbose. The fecal concentration (mumol/g wet weight) of n-butyrate (+58%) rose significantly when acarbose was added to the diet. The fecal excretion (mmol/day) of total short-chain fatty acids (+95%) and of their constituents acetate (+97%) and n-butyrate (+182%) was significantly higher when starch malabsorption was induced by acarbose.

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A new method is described for short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) analysis in stool samples. After sample purification by acid vacuum transfer and concentration by alkaline freeze-drying, SCFAs were measured by gas-liquid chromatography using a capillary column. Peak resolution and reproducibility were superior to SCFA analysis on a conventional glass column. With this new technique SCFA were quantitated in stool samples of six healthy volunteers on a basal diet with and without a fermentable dietary fiber preparation; fiber had no effect on fecal SCFA concentration. In two patients with a short-bowel syndrome, SCFA could be demonstrated in stool samples, indicating active fermentation.

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