抄録
Human ingest two types of carbohydrate, one is digested and the other is not digested by the small intestine enzymes. Digestible carbohydrates, such as starch, sucrose, and lactose, are decomposed by gastrointestinal enzymes to monosaccharides, are spontaneously absorbed by a transporter in the small intestine, and supply energy to the host. On the other hand, non-digestible and/or non-absorbable carbohydrates, such as oligosaccharides, sugar alcohols, and dietary fibers, escape digestion in the small intestine, and reach the large intestine. Intestinal microbes metabolize these carbohydrates to short chain fatty acids and gases by fermentation. Acetate, propionate, and n-butyrate are the end products by fermentation, and they also supply energy to the host. Furthermore, non-digestible and/or non-absorbable carbohydrates are candidates for prebiotic agents.
