EFFECT OF 2 LEVELS OF TRANSGALACTOSYLATED OLIGOSACCHARIDE INTAKE IN RATS ASSOCIATED WITH HUMAN FECAL MICROFLORA ON BACTERIAL GLYCOLYTIC ACTIVITY, END-PRODUCTS OF FERMENTATION AND BACTERIAL STEROID TRANSFORMATION

The effects of two levels of transgalactosylated oligosaccharide (TOS) intake on bacterial glycolytic activity, end products of fermentation and bacterial steroid transformation were studied in rats associated with a human faecal flora. Rats were fed a human-type diet containing 0, 5 or 10% TOS. Caecal pH decrease correlated with the amount of TOS in the diet. Intake of the TOS diet induced a decrease in blood choles terol and a strong increase in beta-galactosidase activity in the hind gut. TOS fermentation led to production of hydrogen and short chain fa tty acids, whereas ammonia and branched-chain fatty acids were decreas ed. A diet containing 10% TOS increased caecal lactic acid concentrati ons and reduced beta-glucuronidase activities and steroid transformati on.