Fn-type chicory inulin hydrolysate has a prebiotic effect in humans

Abstract

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 corn position 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 sam pies 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.