Effect of Dietary Fiber Sources on the Composition of Intestinal Microflora in Rats

주요 식이섬유질원이 흰쥐의 장내균총조성에 미치는 영향

This study was performed to investigate the influence of various dietary fiber sources(rice bran, Chinese cabbage, radish, apple, laver, sea mustard) on the intestinal microflora in rats. Eight groups of rats were fed each experimental diets containing 5% of total dietary fiber for 4 weeks. Total viable counts and the numbers of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Clostridium, E. coli and Staphylococcus were determined by nonselective medium and various selective media. The number of Bifidobacterium(p<0.01) was higher in the apple and sea mustard groups than those in the other groups and the number of Lactobacillus(p<0.01) was lower in the radish group. A decrease in the intestinal population of clostridium was shown in the sea mustard group. The E. coli(p<0.01) and Staphylococcus(p<0.01) populations decreased in the apple group compared with other groups. These findings suggest that the apple fiber and sea mustard fiber are effective in improving intestinal flora of rats.