Amaranth metabolism

Our first indication that fermentable fiber could alter microfloral metabolism was based on studies assessing the influence of dietary fiber types on the disposition of model xenobiotics using pharmacokinetic analysis (14). Amaranth was selected as a model xenobiotic for these studies because it was absorbed only after reduction by gut microflora (15). 

However, substantial degradation occurred when the culture was made anaerobic nearly stoichiometric amounts of the corresponding aromatic amines were formed. Further degradation did not occur until the culture was reaerated, whereupon the amines were degraded to Krebs qrde intermediates by strain BN6, a member of the bacterial consortium known to be able to use a variety of aromatic amines as its sole carbon, nitrogen, and energy source. In addition to Mordant Yellow 3 (V), Acid Yellow 21 (VI), Amaranth (VII), Tartrazine (VIII), and 4-Hydroxyazobenzene-4 Sulfonic Acid (DC) were assayed for their ability to be metabolized in this system. 

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