Lactosucrose (4G-B-D-galactosylsucrose) was fermented in vitro by bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, and to a limited degree by the Bacteroides fragilis group, clostridia, eubacteria, and enterobacteriaceae. The effects of dietary lactosucrose on the fecal flora and fecal metabolites were studied in eight healthy volunteers (20-23 years of age) who ingested 3 g of lactosucrose/day for 7 days followed by 6 g of lactosucrose/day for 7 consecutive days. During lactosucrose intake, the counts of bifidobacteria were increased significantly (p< 0.001), whereas the counts of clostridia, including Clostridium perfringens, and bacteroidaceae were decreased significantly (p<0.05) compared with the values before the intake. The total bacterial counts were decreased significantly (p< 0.05) on day 14 during the intake. The frequency of occurrence of lecithinase-negative clostridia was decreased significantly (p<0.05) when compared with the values before and after the intake. No detectable changes occurred in the counts of other organisms throughout the experimental periods. Fecal concentrations of ammonia, sulfide, phenol, ethylphenol, skatol and indole were decreased significantly (p< 0.05) during lactosucrose intake. Acetic acid and lactic acid were increased significantly (p< 0.05) during the intake. Fecal enzyme activity of B-glucuronidase was decreased significantly (p< 0.05) on day 14 of the intake. Serum very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) was increased significantly (p< 0.01) on day 14 during the intake. Mean fecal pH values decreased from 6.3 to 5.9, and mean water content increased 3.6% during the intake. Fecal weight was increased slightly during the intake. The results obtained showed that the effective dose of lactosucrose for all healthy adults is 3 g/day.

Cow's milk-based follow-up formula (NAN BF) containing viable Bifidobacterium bifidum strain Bb12 was given to seven healthy children of 15 to 31 months old for 21 days, and the effect of NAN BF on fecal flora and fecal metabolic products was studied. The formula NAN BF was well-accepted by the children. During the intake of NAN BF, fecal bifidobacteria showed a tendency to increase, and lecithinase-negative clostridia decreased (p < 0 .05). B. bifidum strain Bb12 was detected in fecal samples from five subjects (71%) during intake, with a maximum of 27% of total bifidobacteria. Fecal putrefactive products, ammonia and indole, were significantly reduced (p < 0.01) and acetic acid increased (p < 0.05) during intake. These results suggest that the intake of NAN BF is beneficial as "probiotics" in improving the intestinal flora and in maintaining the healthy intestinal condition of children during and after weaning.

Effects of frozen yoghurt independently or in combination with lactosucrose consumption on fecal microbiota and fecal putrefactive products were studied in nine healthy male volunteers (21-24 years of age) who consumed 60 g of frozen yoghurt (FY)/day for 2 wk followed by 60 g of FY in combination with 2 g lactosucrose (FY-LS)/day for 2 consecutive wk. The yoghurt was prepared with cultures of Lactobacillus helveticus, L. acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Streptococcus thermophilus. After 2 wk of FY consumption, the levels of bifidobacteria were increased and the levels of lecithinase negative clostridia decreased significantly (p< 0.05) compared with the levels before consumption, respectively. Fecal concentrations of ammonia, sulphide and indole (p < 0.01), and phenol and cresol (p < 0.05) were decreased significantly after 2 wk of FY consumption compared with the levels before consumption.The amounts of lactic acid and acetic acids were significantly increased (p < 0.05) during FY consumption. The levels of bifidobacteria were significantly higher (p < 0.01) during FY-LS consumption than those during FY consumption, while the levels of lecithinase negative clostridia, and the levels and the frequency of occurrence of clostridia including Clostridium perfringens were significantly lower (p < 0.05) after 2 wk of FY-LS consumption than those of FY consumption. Fecal concentrations of ammonia, sulphide, phenol, cresol, indole and skatol were significantly lower (p < 0.05) during FY-LS consumption than those of FY consumption. Lactic acid and acetic acids were significantly higher (p < 0.05) during FY-LS consumption than those of FY consumption.Fecal pH values and water contents were slightly lower and higher during FY-LS consumption than those of FY consumption compared with the values before consumption, respectively. Fecal weights were significantly increased (p < 0.05) during FY-LS consumption than those of FY consumption.

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