title: Impact of a jelly containing short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides and Sideritis euboea extract on human faecal microbiota.
abstract: In this randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical study we aimed to evaluate the in vivo prebiotic effects of a functional food containing short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (sc-FOS) and Sideritis euboea extract on human faecal microflora. Sixty-four healthy volunteers 26 men and 38 women (age range: 22-51) were assigned to consume daily a jelly containing 5 g sc-FOS and 0.3 g S.euboea extract or a placebo for 30 d. Stool samples were collected prior to the study on day 15 and 30 of intervention and 2 weeks after. Enumeration of faecal bacteria was performed by plate count techniques. Gastrointestinal side effects were recorded during the treatment period. Data demonstrated a significant bifidogenic effect of the experimental jelly compared to the placebo after 15 [9.54+/-0.83 vs. 8.57+/-1.91 log(10)CFU (colony forming units)/g faeces P=0.001] and 30 d of consumption (9.34+/-1.04 vs. 8.57+/-1.98 log(10)CFU/g faeces P=0.027) and significant higher bifidobacterial levels in the sc-FOS+extract group 2 weeks after the end of intervention (9.33+/-0.61 vs. 8.79+/-0.93 log(10)CFU/g faeces P=0.015). A trend for greater flatulence was detected after 15 d of functional food ingestion with no further differences in gastrointestinal symptoms. In conclusion the daily intake of a jelly containing sc-FOS and S.euboea extract is well-tolerated and demonstrated significant bifidogenic properties in healthy volunteers consuming their usual diets.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dietetics and Nutritional Science, Harokopio University, 70 El. Venizelou Str., 17671 Kallithea, Greece.
authors.forename: Evdokia K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Mitsou
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Turunen
authors.forename: Panagiotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Anapliotis
authors.forename: Dimitra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zisi
authors.forename: Vasilis
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Spiliotis
authors.forename: Adamantini
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kyriacou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001644:Bifidobacterium / Q000254:growth & development*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D005414:Flatulence; D055951:Functional Food / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D056692:Prebiotics / Q000009:adverse effects; D031365:Sideritis; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D009844:Oligosaccharides; D010936:Plant Extracts; D056692:Prebiotics