Gut Microflora (gut + microflora)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Bioactive Isoflavones in Functional Foods: The Importance of Gut Microflora on Bioavailability

NUTRITION REVIEWS, Issue 6 2003
Nicola J. Turner B.Sc.Tech
Isoflavones present in soy may have risk and benefits to human health. Human gut microflora have been shown to exert metabolic activities on isoflavones, which influences bioavailability and bioactivity. Absorption of isoflavones is likely to occur in the small intestine where there is a diverse range of microfloral species able to hydrolyze conjugated isoflavones, releasing the bioactive aglycone for absorption or further metabolism and reconjugation. The identification of gut microbes that metabolize isoflavone aglycones is not well established. Such information may lead to a better understanding of the bioavailability of isoflavones in functional foods. [source]


Intestinal function and gut microflora of broiler chickens as influenced by cereal grains and microbial enzyme supplementation

JOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 5 2009
M. D. Shakouri
Summary A study was conducted to investigate the effect of the key cereal grains and a microbial enzyme supplement on broiler chicken performance, gut microflora and intestinal function. Ingestion of the barley-based diet was associated with low 28-day body weight, decreased feed intake and high FCR. The supplemental enzyme increased feed intake and weight gain of the chickens on a wheat-based diet. The pH of the gizzard and caecal contents varied with the grain type. Enzyme supplementation reduced ileal viscosity, particularly in birds that received the diet based on wheat. The birds on the barley-based diet had lower ileal digestibility of dry matter, protein and energy than those given maize and sorghum-based diets. The ileal digestibility of starch was increased by enzyme supplementation. Enzyme supplementation increased the number of total anaerobic bacteria in the gizzard of birds fed on sorghum and increased lactobacilli in the gizzard of those fed both sorghum and wheat. The birds fed the sorghum-based diet had the lowest counts of caecal total anaerobic bacteria and lactobacilli. Jejunal villus height and villus:crypt ratio of birds fed the barley-based diet were the lowest when compared with those fed the other diets. Enzyme application induced an increase in villus height and villus:crypt ratio of birds on wheat, crypt depth on barley and a reduction in crypt depth of chickens on the sorghum-based diets. The highest activity of maltase and the lowest activity of sucrase were observed in tissue from birds fed on maize and sorghum-based diets respectively. The differences in the performance of broilers on cereal grains could be explained by changes in intestinal morphology, enzyme activities and gut microflora as well as nutrient digestibility. The improved performance by supplemental enzyme in wheat-fed chickens was associated with beneficial changes in intestinal morphology and digesta viscosity. [source]


EFFECT OF BIFIDOBACTERIUM BREVE ON THE GROWTH OF ENTEROBACTER SAKAZAKII IN REHYDRATED INFANT MILK FORMULA

JOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 1 2008
T.M. OSAILI
ABSTRACT The effect of Bifidobacterium breve on the survival and growth of Enterobacter sakazakii in rehydrated infant milk formula stored at 4,45C was studied. A commercial culture of B. breve and a five-strain cocktail E. sakazakii were mixed with rehydrated formula and stored up to 8 h. The populations of B. breve and E. sakazakii at each storage time/temperature were determined. There was a two-way interactive effect between B. breve numbers and temperature on the number of E. sakazakii in the rehydrated formula at 3,8 h of storage. E. sakazakii did not grow in the rehydrated formula at 4C. At 12 and 20C, the numbers of E. sakazakii in the presence of B. breve were lower than those in the formula without B. breve at 8 h of storage, and at 45C, when the bacteria were combined, a similar result was obtained at 6- and 8-h storage. The presence of B. breve in the formula appeared to enhance the growth of E. sakazakii at 37C in the rehydrated formula stored at 2,8 h. Other more competitive inhibitory probiotic cultures would be more appropriate to control E. sakazakii growth in unrefrigerated rehydrated milk-based formula. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Results obtained showed that the probiotic organisms Bifidobacterium breve did not reduce Enterobacter sakazakii levels in rehydrated infant formula if held >2 h at >30C. At 37C, B. breve stimulated the growth of the pathogen after 2 h. Choice of probiotic bacteria for inclusion in these products to improve infant gut microflora should be based on their neutral or negative influence on E. sakazakii survival/growth to reduce the risk to health associated with the contamination of these products during manufacture. [source]


Dietary polyphenols can modulate the intestinal inflammatory response

NUTRITION REVIEWS, Issue 7 2009
Béatrice Romier
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) arise from multiple causes, including environmental factors, gut microflora, immunity, and genetic predispositions. In the course of IBD, immune homeostasis and intestinal mucosa barrier integrity are impaired. Among natural preventive treatments that have been identified to date, polyphenols appear as promising candidates. They have been shown to protect against several diseases, including cardiovascular diseases and cancers, and they have anti-inflammatory properties in non-intestinal models. This paper will review the literature that has described to date some effects of polyphenols on intestinal inflammation. Studies, conducted using in vivo and in vitro models, provide evidence that pure polyphenolic compounds and natural polyphenolic plant extracts can modulate intestinal inflammation. [source]


Bioactive Isoflavones in Functional Foods: The Importance of Gut Microflora on Bioavailability

NUTRITION REVIEWS, Issue 6 2003
Nicola J. Turner B.Sc.Tech
Isoflavones present in soy may have risk and benefits to human health. Human gut microflora have been shown to exert metabolic activities on isoflavones, which influences bioavailability and bioactivity. Absorption of isoflavones is likely to occur in the small intestine where there is a diverse range of microfloral species able to hydrolyze conjugated isoflavones, releasing the bioactive aglycone for absorption or further metabolism and reconjugation. The identification of gut microbes that metabolize isoflavone aglycones is not well established. Such information may lead to a better understanding of the bioavailability of isoflavones in functional foods. [source]


Effects of dietary organic acids on growth, nutrient digestibility and gut microflora of red hybrid tilapia, Oreochromis sp., and subsequent survival during a challenge test with Streptococcus agalactiae

AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 13 2009
Wing-Keong Ng
Abstract A 14-week feeding trial was conducted to determine the effects of dietary organic acids. The experimental diets were added with 0, 1, 2 or 3 g kg,1 of a novel organic acid blend or with 2 g kg,1 of potassium diformate and fed to triplicate groups of red hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis sp.). Upon completion, tilapia were challenged by immersion with Streptococcus agalactiae. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the growth, feed utilization and nutrient digestibility among treatment groups despite a trend towards improved results with fish fed organic acid-supplemented diets. Diet pH decreased, causing a reduction in the digesta pH of the stomach and gut. Total bacteria per gram of faeces were significantly (P<0.05) reduced from 1.81 × 108 colony-forming units (CFU) (control group) up to 0.67 × 108 CFU in the fish fed organic acid diets. A similar trend was observed for adherent gut bacteria. Cumulative mortality of fish fed no organic acids was higher compared with fish fed organic acid-supplemented diets at 16 days post challenge. The data showed that dietary organic acids can exert strong anti-microbial effects and have the potential to exert beneficial effects on growth, nutrient utilization and disease resistance in tilapia. [source]


Faecal short chain fatty acid pattern and allergy in early childhood

ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 5 2009
Anna Sandin
Abstract Aim: To investigate whether functional changes of the gut flora over time were related to sensitization and allergic symptoms at four years of age. Methods: The levels of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in faecal samples at one (n = 139) and four (n = 53) years of age were related to the development of positive skin prick tests (SPT) and allergic symptoms during the first four years of life. Results: Faecal acetic (p < 0.01) and propionic (p < 0.01) acids decreased from one to four years of age, while valeric acid (p < 0.001) increased. Low levels of i-butyric (p = 0.01), i-valeric (p = 0.03) and valeric acids (p = 0.02) at one year were associated with questionnaire-reported symptoms of food allergy at four years. Positive SPTs and allergic symptoms at four years were associated with low faecal levels of i-butyric, i-valeric and valeric acids. At one year of age, infants with, as compared to without older siblings had higher median levels of valeric acid. Conclusion: A slow functional maturation of the gut microflora, as measured by faecal levels of SCFAs is associated with allergy both at one and four years. The findings lend further support to an association between allergy and the development of microbial diversity. [source]


The mother's immune system is a balanced threat to the foetus, turning to protection of the neonate

ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 2 2009
Lars Å Hanson
Immunological tolerance by the mother prevents rejection of the foetus, but aberrations may increase risk of abnormalities like spontaneous abortion, or foetal growth restriction. The neonate is normally colonized with mother's gut microflora, mainly composed of protective anaerobes. This least threatening form of microbial colonization of the neonate, is impaired by sectio delivery, but supported by breastfeeding. Mother's transplacental IgG, secretory IgA and other milk components help protect the neonate together with its own slowly expanding immune system. Conclusion: The mother's immune system tolerates her foetus via several mechanisms. Failure to do so may cause foetal growth retardation, or spontaneous abortion. The mother and the neonate cooperate in preventing infections in the offspring. [source]