Fiber fermentable, effect

Later it was observed that butyric acid is a naturally occurring dietary HD AC inhibitor. It is formed upon dietary fiber fermentation within our digestive system. Although butyrate does not normally reach high enough levels for cancer treatment, it has been proposed that daily consumption over an individual s lifetime may provide chemoprevenfive effects. ... 

A metabolic product of fiber fermentation, propionate may mediate some of the hypocholesterolemic effects of certain soluble plant fibers. In cholesterol-fed rats, propionate decreases serum cholesterol and liver triglyceride level where no changes in hepatic histology in response to propionate intake have been detected (Wang and Ng, 1999). 

Control of relative humidity is needed to maintain the strength, pHabiUty, and moisture regain of hygroscopic materials such as textiles and paper. Humidity control may also be required in some appHcations to reduce the effect of static electricity. Temperature and/or relative humidity may also have to be controlled in order to regulate the rate of chemical or biochemical reactions, such as the drying of varnishes, the appHcation of sugar coatings, the preparation of synthetic fibers and other chemical compounds, or the fermentation of yeast. 

A commercial bacterial cellulose product (CeUulon) was recently introduced by Weyerhaeuser (12). The fiber is produced by an aerobic fermentation of glucose from com symp in an agitated fermentor (13,14). Because of a small particle diameter (10 P-m), it has a surface area 300 times greater than normal wood cellulose, and gives a smooth mouthfeel to formulations in which it is included. CeUulon has an unusual level of water binding and works with other viscosity builders to improve their effectiveness. It is anticipated that it wiU achieve GRAS status, and is neutral in sensory quaUty microcrystaUine ceUulose has similar attributes. 

Various mechanisms have been proposed to explain the hypocholesterolemic effect of GA (Annison et al., 1995 Tiss et al., 2001). Some studies have suggested that the viscosity of fermentable dietary fiber contributes substantially to the reduction of lipids in animals and humans (Gallaher et al., 1993 Moundras et al., 1994). However, other studies suggested that this property is not related to plasma lipids (Evans et al., 1992). The mechanism involved is clearly linked to increased bile acid excretion and fecal neutral sterol or a modification of digestion and absorption of lipids (Moundras et al., 1994). 

FIGURE 4.5 Effects of solid-state enzyme treatment on (A) soluble fiber and (B) insoluble fiber contents in psyllium. P, the Pentopan Mono BG S, the Shearzyme 500 L from Novo Nordisk Ferment Ltd. (Switzerland) lOOP, 100 units of P 12S, 12 units of S and Psy stands for the commercial psyllium husks, the starting material for the solid-state enzymatic reaction (re-drawn from Yu and Perret, 2003a). 

Short-chain fatty acids, especially butyrate, are a preferred source of energy for the colonic epithelium. There is evidence to suggest that butyrate enemas are effective in the treatment of ulcerative cohtis. The seeds of Plantago ovata (a source of fermentable dietary fiber) increase fecal concentrations of butyrate and acetate. In a randomized, open, parallel-group, multicenter study in 105 patients with ulcerative cohtis, P. ovata seeds 10 mg bd were as effective as mesalazine 500 mg tds in maintaining remission over 12 months (10). Adverse effects were similar in the two groups, and included constipation, flatulence, nausea, and diarrhea. 

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