Abstract
We studied the effect of YP97 yoghurt on human defecation and fecal properties in 58 healthy female of 19 to 25 years old. The fecal microflora, short chain fatty acid, ammonia concentration, pH and water contents were also examined in 8 subjects. The subjects were divided into two groups for a crossover study. The subjects in one group ingested 115 g of YP97 yoghurt a day for 2 weeks, following the administration of 115 g of placebo yoghurt a day for 2 weeks. The other group took the YP97 yoghurt and placebo in reverse order. There were 2-week interval between the administration periods; the total examination period was 8 weeks. As a result, defecation frequency was improved significantly in the YP97 yoghurt administration period compared with the control, interval and placebo administration period in constipation group. The number of Bifidobacterium was increased significantly in the YP97 yoghurt administration period compared with the placebo administration period. Lecithinase positive Clostridium tended to decrease in the YP97 yoghurt administration period compared with the control period.In addition, we observed the significant increase in the ratio of Bifidobacterium to total bacteria in the YP97 yoghurt administration period compared with the control, interval and placebo administration period. Fecal ammonia concentration was decreased significantly in the YP97 yoghurt administration period compared with the interval and placebo administration period. Fecal pH was decreased significantly in the YP97 yoghurt administration period compared with the control and interval period. The results in this study demonstrated that the administration of YP97 yoghurt was effective to improve defecation frequency and fecal flora.
