Abstract
The effects of dietary propionyl triglyceride (PTG) on body weight gain, the microflora and organic acid concentration in feces and cecal contents were studied in rats. The body weight gain over 14 days in the group given 5% PTG was lowest in comparison with PTG-free (control) and 1% and 3% PTG groups. However, there were no significant differences among the control and PTG groups. The concentrations of acetate, valerate and lactate in the feces of the PTG groups were higher than those in the control group, but the propionate concentration did not differ among the groups. In the cecal contents of the PTG groups, the concentrations of lactate and succinate were higher, and the propionate concentration was lower than in the control group. The numbers of Enterobacteriaceae, Salmonella, and E. coli were significantly decreased in the feces and cecal contents of the. PTG groups, but the Bifidobacterium count was increased.
