The fate of chicory root pulp polysaccharides during fermentation in the TNO in vitro model of the colon (TIM-2)

The aim of this study was to monitor cell wall polysaccharide (CWPs) utilization during fermentation by the human colonic microbiota in the TNO in vitro model of the colon (TIM-2). Chicory root pulp (CRP) and treated (ensiled) CRP (ECRP) containing four times more soluble pectin than CRP, were fermented in the model. After the adaptation phase...

The role of colonic metabolism in lactose intolerance

Lactose maldigestion and intolerance affect a large part of the world population. The underlying factors of lactose intolerance are not fully understood. In this review, the role of colonic metabolism is discussed, i.e. fermentation of lactose by the colonic microbiota, colonic processing of the fermentation metabolites and how these processes...

Of the major phenolic acids formed during human microbial fermentation of tea, citrus, and soy flavonoid supplements, only 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid has antiproliferative activity

Dietary flavonoids are poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Colonic bacteria convert flavonoids into smaller phenolic acids (PA), which can be absorbed into the circulation and may contribute to the chemopreventive activity of the parent compounds. The purpose of our study was to determine whether flavonoids from green and black tea ...

Long-term gastrointestinal tolerance of NUTRIOSE®FB in healthy men

Objective: To determine the gastrointestinal (GI) tolerance of NUTRIOSE®FB in men. Design: A randomized, placebo-contro lled, parallel, double-blind study. Setting: The metabolic ward of TNO Quality of Life. Subjects: Forty-eight subjects started the study: 16 men participated in one of the three treatments. Subjects consumed either 22.5 g of...

D-Tagatose increases butyrate production by the colonic microbiota in healthy men and women

D-Tagatose is partly absorbed in the stomach and small intestine. Most of it is fermented by the large intestinal microbiota. The effect of D-tagatose on the composition of the microbiota and production of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) was studied in vivo and in vitro. Gastrointestinal (GI) complaints were also studied. The in vivo study was...

The Effect of Various Inulins and Clostridium difficile on the Metabolic Activity of the Human Colonic Microbiota in vitro

The influence of inulins with different average degree of polymerization (ranging from 3 to 25) on the metabolic activity of the human colonic microbiota with or without the addition of Clostridium difficile was investigated in vitro. The in vitro system used was a dynamic, computer-controlled model that simulates the conditions of the proximal...

The Effect of Lactulose on the Composition of the Intestinal Microbiota and Short-chain Fatty Acid Production in Human Volunteers and a Computer-controlled Model of the Proximal Large Intestine

The objective of this study was to compare the in vivo effect of lactulose on faecal parameters with the effect in a dynamic, computer-controlled in vitro model of the proximal large intestine (TIM-2). Faecal samples from 10 human volunteers collected before (non-adapted) and after 1 week of treatment (10 g/day) with lactulose (lactulose-adapted...

Bifidobacteria: Genetic modification and the study of their role in the colon

Bifidobacteria are among the most common bacteria in the human intestine and are thought to have a positive effect on human health. Therefore, there is an increasing interest in using these microorganisms as probiotics, either in fermented dairy products or formulated as tablets. However, convincing scientific data supporting their health claims...