DIETARY-SUPPLEMENT OF NEOSUGAR ALTERS THE FECAL FLORA AND DECREASES ACTIVITIES OF SOME REDUCTIVE ENZYMES IN HUMAN-SUBJECTS

The influence of dietary fructooligosaccharide (neosugar) on the fecal flora and activities of reductive enzymes was studied in 12 healthy, adult human subjects fed a controlled diet for 42 d and given 4 g neos ugar/d between days 7 and 32. Fecal samples were collected before, dur ing, and after supplementation with neosugar to enumerate total anaero bes, aerobes, bifidobacteria, and enterobacteria, and to assay for bet a-glucuronidase, nitroreductase, and glycocholic acid hydroxylase. Alt hough the controlled diet caused an increase in total anaerobes and bi fidobacteria, the highest densities occurred during supplementation wi th neosugar. Total aerobes and enterobacteria were less affected by di et and neosugar. Neosugar caused beta-glucuronidase and glycocholic ac id hydroxylase activities to decrease 75% and 90%, respectively; both increased after supplementation with neosugar was stopped. Nitroreduct ase activity declined 80% after the control diet was started, but was not affected by neosugar. These findings indicate that 4 g neosugar/d alters the fecal flora in a manner perceived as beneficial by decreasi ng activities of some reductive enzymes.