Abstract
We studied the effect of YP97 yoghurt on human defecation and fecal properties in 41 healthy volunteers of 17 to 85 years old. The fecal microflora, short-chain fatty acid concentration, ammonia concentration, water contents and pH were also examined in 8 subjects. The subjects were divided into 2 groups for a crossover study. Eighty grams of YP97 yoghurt a day, 115 g of YP97 yoghurt a day or 100 g of commercialized yoghurt a day were consumed for 2 weeks. There were 2-week interval between the administration periods. The total examination period was 11 weeks. As a result, defecation frequency was improved significantly in the administration period of YP97 yoghurt 80 g/day, 115 g/day and commercialized yoghurt 100g/day compared with control period in constipation group. In addition, the number of Bifidobacteriumwas increased significantly in the administration period of YP97 yoghurt 80 g/day and tended to increase in the administration period of YP97 yoghurt 115 g/day and commercialized yoghurt 100g/day compared with the control period. It was observed that fecal ammonia concentration was decreased significantly in the administration period of YP97 yoghurt 80 g, 115 g and commercialized yoghurt 100g compared with the control and interval period. These results suggested that the administration of YP97 yoghurt 80 g/day, 115 g/day and commercialized yoghurt 100 g/day were effective to improve defecation frequency and fecal flora equally. On overingestion tests using 11 healthy volunteers (22-60 years old), there was no difference in gastrointestinal symptoms.
