1994 Volume 8 Issue 1 Pages 29-35
This study was carried out to evaluate the utilization of gluconic acid by various intestinal bacteriain vitroand the effect of ingestion on human fecal flora. In the in vitro experiment, gluconate was utilized selectively by theB. adolescentisgroup in the genusBifidobacteriumand some species includingClostridium clostridioforme, C. innocuum, Propionibacterium acnes, Megasphaera elsdenii, Enterococcus faeciumandKlebsiella pneumoniae, but not utilized by most of other bacteria includingBacteroidaceae. Tests were performed in ten healthy adult male volunteers. They ingested 9g/day or 3g/day of glucono-σA-lactone (anhydride of gluconic acid). With the 9g/day ingestion, the number ofBifidobacteriumsignificantly increased (p<0.001) andC. perfringensdecreased, butEnterobacteriaceaedid not increase. With the 3g/day ingestion also, the number ofBifidobacteriumincreased (p<0.05).
