Influence of Galactooligosaccharides on the Human Fecal Microflora

Abstract

The effects of galactooligosaccharides intake on fecal microflora and their metabolism were investigated in twelve healthy volunteers, in whom the numbers of indigenous bifidobacteria are comparatively low. The galactooligosaccharides ingestion increased the number of bifidobacteria, but remarkable changes of other organisms were not observed. This sugar also lowered fecal nitroreductase activity, the concentrations of indole and isovaleric acid. © 1993, Center for Academic Publications Japan. All rights reserved.