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Pyrosequencing analysis of intestinal microflora from healthy Thai vegetarians and non-vegetarians exhibited 893 OTUs covering 189 species. The strong species indicators of vegetarians and non-vegetarians were and as well as bacteria close to with % relative abundance of 16.9 and 4.5-4.7, respectively. Core gut microbiota of the vegetarian and non-vegetarian groups consisted of 11 and 20 different bacterial species, respectively, belonging to Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria commonly found in both groups. Two species, and , had a prevalence of 100% in both groups. Three species,, , and, showed up in most vegetarians, whereas more diversity of ,, various species of ,, , and different species of and were found in most non-vegetarians. Considering the correlation of personal characters, consumption behavior, and microbial groups, the age of non-vegetarians showed a strong positive correlation coefficient of 0.54 ( = 0.001) to but exhibited a moderate one to and . Only a positive moderate correlation of body mass index and appeared. Based on the significant abundance of potential pathogens, the microbiota of the non-vegetarian group showed an abundance of potential pathogen varieties of ,, and , whereas that of the vegetarian group served for only. These results implied that the microbiota of vegetarians with high abundance of and low potential pathogen variety would be a way to maintain good health in Thais.

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The fecal microbiotas were investigated in 13 healthy Thai subjects using polymerase chain reaction denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE). Among the 186 DNA bands detected on the polyacrylamide gel, 37 bands were identified as representing 11 species: Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, Bacteroides ovatus, Bacteroides uniformis, Bacteroides vulgatus, Clostridium colicanis, Eubacterium eligenes, E. rectale, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Megamonas funiformis, Prevotella copri, and Roseburia intestinalis, belonging mainly to the groups of Bacteroides, Prevotella, Clostridium, and F. prausnitzii. A dendrogram of the PCR-DGGE divided the subjects; vegetarians and non-vegetarians. The fecal microbiotas were also analyzed using a quantitative real-time PCR focused on Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, Enterobacteriaceae, Clostrium coccoides-Eubacterium rectale, C. leptum, Lactobacillus, and Prevotella. The nonvegetarian and vegetarian subjects were found to have significant differences in the high abundance of the Bacteroides and Prevotella genera, respectively. No significant differences were found in the counts of Bifidabacterium, Enterobacteriaceae, C. coccoides-E. rectale group, C. leptum group, and Lactobacillus. Therefore, these findings on the microbiota of healthy Thais consuming different diets could provide helpful data for predicting the health of South East Asians with similar diets.

Background: Phellinus mushrooms are locally available in Thailand. They have been traditionally used for medicinal purposes including tonics, for cancer treatment and for immune system stimulation. </P><P> Objective: To evaluate the in vitro antioxidant, antibacterial activities and the phytochemical information of the extracts from 11 selected Phellinus mushrooms collected in Thailand. Methods: Eleven Phellinus mushrooms were collected from the Northeastern part of Thailand. Their ethanol and water extracts were tested for in vitro antioxidant activities using a DPPH scavenging assay, FRAP assay and TBARS method while the antibacterial effects were determined by agar disk diffusion and broth microdilution methods. The phytochemical profiles of the Phellinus mushroom extracts were evaluated using TLC and HPLC techniques. The total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of the extracts were evaluated by Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminium chloride methods, respectively. While total carbohydrate and total triterpene contents were evaluated by phenolsulfuric acid and vanillin perchloric acid methods, respectively. Results: Most ethanol extracts from Phellinus mushrooms exhibited moderate antioxidant effects especially extracts from P. everhartii, P. hippophaëicola and P. pini var. microporus while P. igniarius var. cinereus ethanol extract exhibited inhibitory effects to Helicobacter pylori both normal and resistant strains, this extract also showed the strongest inhibitory effect against Staphylococcus aureus. Most Phellinus mushroom extracts exhibited similar TLC and HPLC fingerprints with the chromatographic bands corresponding to phenolics, flavonoids and terpenoids. Protocatechuic acid was identified in most Phellinus mushroom extracts. Conclusion: Phellinus mushrooms especially, P. everhartii could be developed as sources of antioxidants while P. igniarius var. cinereus indicated the potential to inhibit H. pylori. Protocatechuic acid could be used as a marker for quality control of Phellinus mushroom raw materials and extracts.