[Influence of resistant starch on colon flora of rats].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of resistant starch (RS2 and RS3) intake on colon flora of mice

METHODS

32 mice were divided into four groups (8 mice/group) according to their weight randomly. Four groups of mice were given basic feed (containing only corn starch and no RS), containing 6% RS2 feed, containing 12% RS2 feed, and containing 6% RS3 feed, respectively. Feces were collected on the 1st and 29th day of the experiment, and pH of feces were measured and five feces flora (enterobacter, bifidobacteria, lactobacillus, bacteroid, and enterococcus) were detected with culture medium method. All the mice were killed on the 29th day to get caecum content. The pH of caecum content were measured and short chain fatty acid (SCFA) were detected with gas chromatography.

RESULTS

RS2 and RS3 could all increase feces bifidobacteria (P < 0.05) and decrease enterobacteria (P < 0.05). RS2 could increase SCFA of ceacum content, and 12% RS2 group is more than control group (P < 0.01), and also more than 6% RS2 group (P < 0.05). RS could also decrease pH of feces and ceacum content of mice, and the effect of RS3 is more than RS2.

CONCLUSION

Resistant starch could improve colon flora, increase its fermentable production SCFA, decrease caecum and feces pH, and then improve health.