EFFECT OF ACETIC-ACID BACTERIUM ON ETHANOL OXIDATION IN-VIVO

We investigated the possible effects of acetic acid bacterium on ethan ol oxidation in vivo by monitoring the blood ethanol level after injec ting 5% ethanol with (treated group) or without (control group) a free ze-dried bacterial cell suspension directly into the stomach of anesth esized rats. Paired comparison t-tests of the results indicate that th e blood ethanol concentration of the rats in the treated group was sig nificantly (p < 0.07) lower than that in the control group. When measu red 10 min after administering ethanol into the gullet, the concentrat ion in the stomach of the rats that received acetic acid bacterium sim ultaneously with ethanol was significantly (p < 0.10) lower than that of the rats that received ethanol alone. We consider that freeze-dried cells of acetic acid bacterium oxidized ethanol in the stomach and co uld be effective for reducing the blood ethanol level after drinking.