In a previous study, we observed that administration of oligosaccharide containing theanderose (TR-32) selectively promoted the growth of intestinal bifidobacteria. In the present study, we examined the effect of TR-32 administration on fecal pH, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentration and putrefaction products. During the intake of TR-32, the fecal pH decreased according to the concentration of SCFA produced by intestinal bacteria. On intestinal putrefaction products, fecal ammonia was decreased significantly. A tendency for decreased fecal putrefaction products (phenol, p-cresol, skatole, 4-ethylphenol) were observed during the administration of TR-32. These results indicated that an increase in the ratio of the number ofBifidobacteriumto the total number of intestinal bacteria by the administration of TR-32 caused a decrease in the concentration of intestinal putrefaction products (ammonia, phenol, p-cresol, skatole, 4-ethylphenol).

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In the present study, the effects of administration of a probiotic containingBifidobacterium thermophilum, Enterococcus faecium and Lactobacillus acidophiluson newborn livestock were investigated. In a trial of piglets, newborn piglets were separated into two groups, the probiotic-fed group (total; 16 head) and the control group (total; 15 head). The average weight gain of piglets in the probiotic-fed group was higher than that of the control group, and the frequency of diarrhea tended to be lower in the probiotic-fedgroup. Also, in the trial of newborn calves (n=137), administration of probiotic was effective to increase weight gain and decrease the frequency of diarrhea. These results showed that administration of a probiotic containingB. thermophilum, E.faecium and L. acidophilusis effective to promote weight gain and protect against diarrhea in newborn livestock.

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