Effect of oligosaccharides from porphyran on in vitro digestions, utilizations by various intestinal bacteria, and levels of serum lipid in mice

Digestion of porphyran by enzymes of Arthrobacter sp. S-22 caused neoagarot etraose (NOSP) fraction, sulphated oligosaccharide (DP greater than or equa l to 6) (OSP3) fraction, sulphated tetrasaccharide (OSP2) fraction, and sul phated disaccharide (OSP1) fraction, Purified NOSP, OSP2 and OSP1 were part ially digested in vitro by alpha-amylase from human saliva and rat intestin al acetone powder. No digestions were observed in vitro using artificial ga stric juice and porcine pancreas. Neoagarotetraose was utilized in vitro by intestinal bacteria, Bacteroides. Hypocholesteromic activities in mice wer e found in porphyran and all oligosaccharide fractions tested (NOSP, OSP3, OSP2, and OSP1). The percentage of totalserum cholesterol fed with OSP2 and OSP1 were 72 and 67%, respectively, to that of the control.