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The effect of changing the human intestinal microflora by administration of Oligomate-50, which contains 52 per cent galactooligosaccharides and is produced from lactose by the action of P-D-galactosidase (produced by Aspergillus oryzae and Streptococcus thermophillus), was investigated. 4.8,9.6 or 19.2 g/d) was given orally for 7 d to 12 volunteers in a single-blind cross-over study. Each dose included 0,2.5, 5.0 or 10.0 g of galactooligosaccharides, respectively. Bifidobacteria were greatly increased following ingestion of galactooligosaccharides and a linear relation was found ( P < 0.05) between the amount of galactooligosaccharides ingested and the number of bifidobacteria per gram of faeces. Lactobacilli were also slightly increased. The ratio of the number of bifidobacteria to the total number of bacteria was significantly increased from 0.26 i 0 . 1 2 to 0.48 i0. I9 by galactooligosaccharides ingestion. Stool weight and stool frequency after ingestion did not change significantly and no sign of diarrhoea was observed when 10.0 g of galactooligosaccharides was ingested. The results of this study show that galactooligosaccharides are a superior growth-promoting factor for bifidobacteria, and, moreover, have the ability to increase the multiplication of lactobacilli in the human intestinal microflora.

SummaryThe effects of transgalactosylated disaccharide (TD) intake on human fecal microflora and their metabolism were investigated in 12 Japanese males. TD is a mixture of sugars, galactosyl galactose, and galactosyl glucose, synthesized from lactose through the transgalactosyla tion reaction of Streptococcus thermophilus /3-galactosidase. Volunteers took 15 g of the test sugar daily for 6 days. The TD ingestion increased the number of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, but decreased the number of Bacteroidaceae and Candida spp. in the feces. The ratio of bifidobacteria to total bacteria increased from 0.28 to 0.51. TD decreased the fecal concentrations of propionic acid, isobutyric acid, isovaleric acid, and valeric acid. This sugar also lowered the fecal pH, and the concentrations of fecal ammonia, p-cresol, and indole. Moreover, a positive correlation was found between the concentration of ammonia, and that of branched chain fatty acids (isobutyric acid and isovaleric acid), p-cresol, and indole. All of these compounds are produced from amino acids through deamination by the intestinal bacteria. The depression of amino acid fermentation by intestinal bacteria may be involved in the reduction of fecal ammonia. These results suggest that a part of the trans galactosylated disaccharides passes into the colon, inducing changes in the colonic microflora composition, hastening carbohydrate fermentation, and depressing amino acid fementation in the human gut.

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The effects of a cell preparation of Enterococcus faecalis strain EC-12 (EC-12) on the digesta flow in a pig model and its oral administration to humans were examined for its effect on frequency of defecation and faecal consistency. Latin square model was used in the pig study. Three sows fistulated at the caecum were fed a diet supplemented with either EC-12 or yeast cell wall (10 mg/kg body weight per day) for 9 days. An untreated control (C) was also obtained. Four markers (two were liquid and others solid markers) were used to determine the transit time of the liquid and solid phases of digesta in the gastrointestinal tract. The use of a dual marker system was for the better understanding of the digesta kinetics. YbCl 3 and Co-EDTA were given with a morning meal, and CeCl 3 and Eu-EDTA were given with a night meal on day 8. Caecal digesta were sampled every 2 h for 48 h after morning dosing. The total bioavailabilities of the liquid markers were lower in the EC-12 group than in the C group (Co-EDTA, 72%; Eu-EDTA, 63%). The relative concentrations of chloride to the liquid markers were higher in the EC-12 group than in other groups. Eleven volunteers ingested EC-12 (600 mg/day) for 30 days. EC-12 administration increased the frequency of defecation on day 30 in comparison with day 0. EC-12 stimulates the inflammatory reactions that relate ion and water secretion from the intestine. Accordingly, EC-12 may aid in the recovery from constipation through an acceleration of the liquid digesta flow in the large intestine.