Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-dlnhk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-26T04:31:21.638Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The effect of feeding xanthan gum on colonic function in man: correlation with in vitro determinants of bacterial breakdown

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

J. Daly ,
J. Tomlin  and
N. W. Read
J. Daly
Affiliation:
Centre for Human Nutrition, University of Shefield, Northern General Hospital, Herries Road, Sheffield S5 7AU
J. Tomlin
Affiliation:
Centre for Human Nutrition, University of Shefield, Northern General Hospital, Herries Road, Sheffield S5 7AU
N. W. Read
Affiliation:
Centre for Human Nutrition, University of Shefield, Northern General Hospital, Herries Road, Sheffield S5 7AU
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Xanthan gum (15 g/d) was given for 10 d to eighteen normal volunteers. In vivo measurements of stool output, transit time, frequency of defaecation and flatulence were compared with a preceding control period of 10 d. At the end of the control and test periods fresh faecal homogenate from each subject was anaerobically incubated with xanthan gum and control solutions to assess the ability of the bacteria to break down the gum. Xanthan gum was found to be a highly efficient laxative agent causing significant increases in stool output (P < 0.01), frequency of defaecation (P < 0.05) and flatulence (P < 0.01) whilst having variable effects on transit time. Before feeding xanthan gum, faecal samples from twelve of the eighteen subjects could reduce the viscosity of the gum in vitro. This rose to sixteen of the eighteen with significantly greater amounts (P < 0.05) of hydrogen and short-chain fatty acids also being produced, indicating bacterial adaptation in the presence of the substrate. Correlations between the in vivo and in vitro findings did not substantiate claims that the in vivo effect of a given polysaccharide can be predicted from its fermentation characteristics in vitro.

Keywords

PolysaccharideFermentationColonic function
Type
Fermentation in the Colon
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 69 , Issue 3 , May 1993 , pp. 897 - 902
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 1993

References

Adiotomre, J., Eastwood, M. A., Edwards, C. A. & Brydon, W. G. (1990). Dictary fibre: in-vitro methods that anticipate nutrition and metabolic activity in humans. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 52, 128–134.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bourke, G. & Neale, G. (1980). Faecal glycosidases: effect of a high fibre diet. Irish Journal of Medical Science 149, 38.Google Scholar
Chang, G. W., Fukumoto, H. E., Gyory, C. P., Block, A. P., Kretsch, M. J. & Calloway, D. H. (1979). Effects of diet on the gut microflora: faecal enzymes and bacterial metabolites. Federation Proceedings 38, 767.Google Scholar
Cummings, J. H., Jenkins, D. J. & Wiggins, H. S. (1976). Measurement of the mean transit time of dietary residue through the human gut. Gut 17, 210–218.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cummings, J. H., Southgate, D. A. T., Branch, W., Houston, H., Jenkins, D. J. A. & James, W. P. (1978). Colonic response to dietary fibre from carrot, cabbage, apple. bran and guar gum. Lancet 1, 5–9.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Davies, G. J., Crowder, M., Reid, B. & Dickerson, J. W. T. (1986). Bowel function measurements of individuals with different eating patterns. Gut 27, 164–169.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Eastwood, M. A., Brydon, W. G. & Anderson, D. M. W. (1987). The dietary effects of xanthan gum in man. Food Additives and Contaminants 4, 17–26.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
McConnell, A. A., Eastwood, M. A. & Mitchell, W. D. (1974). Physical characteristics of vegetable foodstuffs that could influence bowel function. Journal of thc Science, of Food and Agriculture 25, 1457–1464.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Osilesi, O., Trout, D. C., Glover, E. E., Koh, E. T., Behall, K. M., Dorisio, T. M. & Tartt, J. (1985). The use of xanthan gum in dietary management of Diabetes Mellitus. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 42, 597–603.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Payler, D. K., Pomare, E. W., Heaton, K. W. & Harvey, R. F. (1975). The effect of wheat bran on intestinal transit. Gut 16, 209–213.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Prynne, C. J. & Southgate, D. A. T. (1979). The effects of a supplement of dietary fibre on faecal excretion by human subjects. British Journal of Nutrition 41, 495–503.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Stephen, A. M. & Cummings, J. H. (1979). Water holding by dietary fibre in-vitro and its relationship to faecal output in man. Gut 20, 722–729.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Tomlin, J. & Read, N. W. (1988). The relation between bacterial degradation of viscous polysaccharides and stool output in human beings. British Journal of Nutrition 60, 467–475.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed