AIMS We assessed to what extent fructans of different degrees of polymerization (DP) differ in their prebiotic effectiveness towards in vitro microbial communities from the proximal and distal colon. METHODS AND RESULTS Two short chain fructans - oligofructose (DP 2-20) and inulin (DP 3-60) - were administered to the Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME) at 2.5 g day(-...

Inulin-type fructans are polymers of fructose molecules and are known for their capacity to enhance absorption of calcium and magnesium, to modulate gut microbiota and energy metabolism, and to improve glycemia. We evaluated and compared the effects of Chicory inulin "Synergy 1®" and inulin from Mexican agave "Metlin®" in two experimental models of colon cancer and bone calcium metabolism in mi...

Background: We have shown recently that rapid fermentable fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) decreased resistance of rats towards salmonella. It is not known whether inulin (which is fermented more gradually) has similar effects or whether buffering nutrients can counteract the adverse effects of rapid fermentation. Aims: To compare the effects of dietary inulin and FOS on resistance of rats to Salm...

To the Editor-In their recent article on nasal cytokine production in children with upper respiratory infections (URIs), Noah et al. [1] state "accurate calculation of the volume ofepithelial lining fluid in respiratory lavage fluid is not possible with current techniques. " While this may be true in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), it is not the case with nasal lavage. I have used inulin as an ex...

GOAL To determine the effect of a prebiotic chicory-derived inulin-type fructan on the tolerance of intestinal gas. BACKGROUND Subjects with gas-related complaints exhibit impaired handling of intestinal gas loads and we hypothesized that inulin would have a beneficial effect. STUDY Placebo-controlled, parallel, randomized, double-blind trial. Subjects with abdominal symptoms and reduced to...

Previous evidence has indicated that in dog and man, the administration of adrenal hormones effects a temporary shift of sodium, chloride, and water in iso-osmotic proportions into the extracellular fluid (1, 2). This conclusion was based on the assumption that inulin afforded a reliable measure of the volume of the fluid phase of the extracellular compartment (3). It has been contended that af...

BACKGROUND Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) produced through fermentation of nondigestible carbohydrates by the gut microbiota are associated with positive metabolic effects. However, well-controlled trials are limited in humans. AIMS To develop a methodology to deliver SCFA directly to the colon, and to optimise colonic propionate delivery in humans, to determine its role in appetite regulatio...

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of inulin and glycerol supplementation on physicochemical properties of probiotic frozen yogurt. Frozen yogurt was prepared with different types of probiotic (Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis) along with yogurt starter culture (Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus). The frozen yogurt mixture was sup...

currently, due to their beneficial effects, there is interest in adding prebiotics to food products. thisstudy investigated the effect of the addition of inulin (1% and 2%) on microbial and physico-chemicalproperties of probiotic low fat yogurt manufactured with lactobacillus acidophilus. six experimentalpreparations of yogurt were produced. homogenized, standardized and pasteurized low fat mil...

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of betaine alone or combined with organic acids and inulin on ileal and total tract nutrient digestibilities and intestinal microbial fermentation characteristics in piglets. In total, 24 four-week-old barrows with an average initial body weight of 6.7 kg were used in two consecutive experiments with 12 piglets each. Betaine, organic acids and ...