The effects of the administration of calcium gluconate (GCA) on defecation and fecal microflora were studied in healthy female volunteers who showed trends of constipation. During the period of GCA intake, the volunteers were given an orange juice drink including GCA, and during the control period, the same amount of control drink without GCA was given. In the first test, 6.0g/day (as a weight of gluconic acid) of GCA was administered. The fecal bacterial flora and properties of 9 volunteers were analyzed, and defecation and bowel habits were investigated by a questionnaire given to 107 volunteers. During the intake of GCA, the number of fecal bifidobacteria and defecation frequency were significantly increased, whereas fecal water content, pH, concentrations of organic acids and putrefactive products did not change remarkably. In the second test, the fecal bacterial flora of 15 volunteers who took 1.5, 2.0 and 3.0g/day of GCA in this order was analyzed. Defecation and bowel habits of two groups were investigated; in group 1, 37 volunteers took 1.5 and 3.0g/day of GCA in this order, and in group 2, 37 volunteers took 2.0 and 4.0g/day in this order. As a result, a GCA intake of more than 2.0g/day significantly increased the number of fecal bifidobacteria, and an intake of more than 1.5g/day significantly increased defecation frequency. Additionally, significant improvements were partly observed in fecal color and hardness.

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Simulated in vitro digestive tests of Lactobacillus acidophilus SBT2062 and Bifidobacterium longum SBT2928, and co-culture experiments of these bacteria with harmful intestinal bacteria (Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens) were performed. In the digestive tests, the viable cell count of B. longum SBT2928 decreased to one-tenth and that of L. acidophilus SBT2062 maintained its initial level after incubation at pH 4, 37C° for 3 hr in a stomach model test. However, a high tolerance of both bacteria was noted in a small-intestine model test. In co-culture experiments, growth of the harmful bacteria was inhibited completely when the initial cell levels of L. acidophilus SBT2062 and B. longum SBT2928 were 105 cfu/g. In addition, a considerable inhibitory effect remained when the levels decreased to 104 cfu/g. These results indicate a possibility that L. acidophilus SBT2062 and B. longum SBT2928 reach the intestine alive after ingestion, and inhibit harmful intestinal bacteria.

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Fermented milk prepared with Lactobacillus acidophilus SBT2062, Bifidobacterium longum SBT 2928, Streptococcus thermophilus SBT1035 and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus SBT0164 was administered at 100 g/day for 2 weeks to 87 healthy adults (39 men and 48 women, average age 28.1 years). The fecal microflora of 14 adults (5 men and 9 women, average age 27.6 years) selected from the 87 healthy adults were studied. Improvement of fecal shape, change of fecal color from dark brown to yellowish brown, decrease of fecal odor and increase in defecation frequency of persons whose frequency was relatively low were observed after administration. The number and ratio of bifidobacteria to the total bacteria were significantly increased, whereas the number and ratio of Bacteroides to the total bacteria were significantly decreased after administration. Fecal ammonia content decreased although the fecal pH, p-cresol and indole contents did not change after administration.

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