Abstract
The functions of lactosucrose, which is classified as a hardly digestible oligosaccharide, were examined in detail by oral administration to healthy humans. Daily doses of 10.0, 5.0 and 2.0g of purified lactosucrose (LS-98) were continuously administered for 7 or 14 days, respectively. Freshly excreted feces were then subjected to investigation. Daily fecal weights and fecal moisture contents were not affected by the administration of LS-98. Fecal pH and short-chain fatty acid concentration were also unaffected. On microfloral examination, the counts and the ratio of Bifidobacterium were also increased during the administration of LS-98. Bifidobacterium was significantly increased by daily intake of 10.0 and 5.0g, respectively. A tendency for increased fecal Bifidobacterium was observed upon administration of 2.0g of LS-98. These results suggest that the effective daily dosage of lactosucrose for healthy humans on the basis of the increase in Bifidobacterium in the large intestine is around 2.0g.
