Novel Resistant Maltodextrin Alters Gastrointestinal Tolerance Factors, Fecal Characteristics, and Fecal Microbiota in Healthy Adult Humans

• Published in: Journal of the American College of Nutrition Vol. 27; no. 2; pp. 356 - 366
• Main Authors: Fastinger, Nathaniel D, Karr-Lilienthal, Lisa K, Spears, Julie K, Swanson, Kelly S, Zinn, Krista E, Nava, Gerardo M, Ohkuma, Kazuhiro, Kanahori, Sumiko, Gordon, Dennis T, Fahey, George C. Jr
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American College of Nutrition 01.04.2008
• Subjects: Adult; adults; Ammonia - metabolism; Bifidobacterium; Bifidobacterium - genetics; Bifidobacterium - growth & development; Clostridium perfringens - genetics; Clostridium perfringens - growth & development; colon; digestion; digestive tract; DNA, Bacterial - chemistry; DNA, Bacterial - genetics; Double-Blind Method; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Fatty Acids, Volatile - metabolism; feces; Feces - chemistry; Feces - microbiology; Female; fermentation; Gastrointestinal Tract - drug effects; Gastrointestinal Tract - microbiology; Gastrointestinal Tract - physiology; Humans; intestinal microorganisms; Lactobacillus - genetics; Lactobacillus - growth & development; Male; maltodextrins; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Polysaccharides - administration & dosage; Polysaccharides - chemistry; prebiotics; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S - chemistry; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S - genetics; short chain fatty acids
• ISSN: 0731-5724; 1541-1087
• DOI: 10.1080/07315724.2008.10719712

OBJECTIVE: Resistant maltodextrin has been shown to increase fecal bulk by resisting digestion and being partially fermented by colonic bacteria to short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). The objective of this experiment was to determine potential prebiotic effects, gastrointestinal tolerance, and fecal characteristics of free-living humans fed a novel resistant maltodextrin or a normal maltodextrin control. METHODS: Subjects (n = 38) were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind study where they were assigned to one of three daily treatments: 15 g maltodextrin; 7.5 g maltodextrin plus 7.5 g resistant maltodextrin (Fibersol-2®; Matsutani Chemical Company, Hyogo, Japan); and 15 g resistant maltodextrin. The experiment lasted 7 wk and consisted of a 2 wk baseline period, a 3 wk treatment period, and a 2 wk washout period. During wk 3 to 5 (treatment period), subjects consumed their assigned treatments. RESULTS: Resistant maltodextrin supplementation tended to increase (p = 0.12) fecal Bifidobacterium populations during the treatment period, altered (p < 0.05) bacterial populations from baseline to treatment, and resulted in very minor effects in gastrointestinal tolerance. There was a shift (p < 0.05) in molar proportions of SCFA towards butyrate, the preferred energy substrate of colonocytes. CONCLUSION: Resistant maltodextrin supplementation was well tolerated, resulted in favorable fermentation characteristics in the large bowel, and also resulted in a change in bacterial populations.