Fn-type Chicory Inulin Hydrolysate Has a Prebiotic Effect in Humans

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The partial enzymatic hydrolysis of chicory inulin (GFn; 2 ≤ n ≤ 60) yields an oligofructose preparation that is composed of both GFn-type and Fn-type oligosaccharides (2 ≤ n ≤ 7; 2 ≤ m ≤ 7), where G is glucose, F is fructose, and n is the number of β(2→1) bound fructose moieties. Human studies have shown that feeding GFn-type oligomers significantly modifies the composition of the fecal microflora especially by increasing the number of bifidobacteria. The experiments reported here were used to test the hypothesis that the Fn-type molecules have the same property. During a controlled feeding study, 8 volunteers (5 females and 3 males) consumed 8 g/d of an Fn-rich product for up to 5 wk. Fecal samples were collected and analyzed for total anaerobes, bifidobacteria, lactobacilli, bacteroides, coliforms and Clostridium perfringens. Both 2 and 5 wk of oligofructose feeding resulted in a selective increase in bifidobacteria (P < 0.01). In addition, a daily intake of 8 g of the Fn-type oligofructose preparation reduced fecal pH and caused little intestinal discomfort.

Key words:

prebiotics
inulin
oligofructose
humans

Abbreviations used:

cfu
colony-forming units
GFn
G is glucose, F is fructose, and n is number of β(2→1) fructose moieties
Fn
F is fructose, and n is number of β(2→1) fructose moieties

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