Influences of Sodium Alginate Extracted from “Mekabu” (Sporophyll of Undaria pinnatifida) on Digestive Organs and Cecal Contents in Rats

抄録

The influences of standard sodium alginate and that extracted from “Mekabu” (sporophyll of Undaria pinnatifida) both at 3% (w/w) in diet on body weight gain, digestive organs and cecal contents were compared in rats fed test diets for 5 weeks. The latter preparation had a higher viscosity than the standard sodium alginate. Relative tissue weight of the stomach and colon did not vary among the dietary treatments. The relative weight of the small-intestinal and cecal tissues of rats fed sodium alginate extracted from “Mekabu” was heavier than that of rats fed the control diet. The weight of the cecal lumen contents was heavier in rats fed sodium alginate diets than the control diet. The total dry matter weight of the cecal contents did not vary among the dietary groups. The free and bound water content of the cecal contents was higher in both sodium alginate groups than in the control groups. Increased water content was mainly responsible for the increase in the cecal contents of sodium alginate groups. Most of the sodium alginate effects did not vary between the extracted and standard sodium alginates. However, the effects of extracted sodium alginate on tissue weight and water content of the cecal contents were larger than those of standard sodium alginate. The difference in viscosity between the preparations might be responsible for this difference.