Feeding Potato Flakes Affects Cecal Short-Chain Fatty Acids, Microflora and Fecal Bile Acids in Rats

Abstract

Background/Aims: Feeding rats potato resistant starch improves large bowel health; however, there is little information on the physiological effects of preprocessed starch like potato flakes in animal experiments. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of the consumption of various colored potato (white, red and purple) flakes on cecal fermentation and fecal bile acid excretions in rats. Methods: The control group was fed a basal diet (BD) containing α-cornstarch for 4 weeks. The potato flake-treated groups were fed one of the following diets containing a mixture of 299.5 g/kg α-cornstarch plus 250 g/kg Hokkai kogane flakes (HK, white), Hokkai No. 91 flakes (H91, red) or Hokkai No. 92 flakes (H92, purple). Results: There were no significant differences in the body weight, food intake and cecum weight among the groups. Cecal pH values in the HK, H91 and H92 groups were significantly lower than that in the BD group, and matter excretion in the H91 group was significantly higher than in the BD and HK groups. Cecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations in the HK, H91 and H92 groups were significantly higher than in the BD group, and the molar ratio of butyrate to total SCFA in the HK, H91 and H92 groups was greatly increased compared with the BD group. Rats fed the HK, H91 and H92 potato flake diets presented significantly higher counts of total anaerobes in the cecum than rats fed the BD. The cecal Lactobacillus count in the H91 group was significantly increased compared to the BD group and the Bifidobacterium count was similar for all groups. Fecal total bile acid excretion in the H92 flake group and secondary bile acid excretions in the H91 and H92 groups were significantly greater than those in the other groups and in the BD and HK groups, respectively. Conclusion: The results indicate that potato flakes act like resistant starch and raise bowel SCFA, probably through anaerobic bacterial activities and fermentation of residual starch. These actions are helpful for the improvement of the colonic environment.

Effects of Feeding Potato Pulp on Cholesterol Metabolism and Its Association with Cecal Conditions in Rats

“…To conclude, the sufficient number of animals estimated in advance should be prepared in further studies. In our previous study, feeding rats with resistant starch from potatoes did not increase cecal propionate levels but improved plasma Chol levels [4,31]. These results suggest that cecal propionate is not necessarily essential for improving Chol levels by DF.…”

“…These results indicate that T-RFLP was not sensitive to even identification of genus. Further, this technique could not Values are mean ± SEM of six rats ( * P<0.05 vs. CT) a Area percentage of Lactobacillus gallinarum GPB Gammaproteobacteria detect the number of bacteria or size of bacterial community, although potatoes in diets were suggested to increase in the total number of intestinal bacteria and the consequent cecal weight [31,32]. These findings indicate that T-RFLP may not show detailed bacterial profiles and should be exploited with other analytical techniques, such as germ culture.…”

Innovations in Food Chemistry and Processing to Enhance the Nutrient Profile of the White Potato in All Forms

“…In addition to a lower glycemic response, other potential health benefits have been reported for potato-based RS. RS-rich potato flakes were found to increase SCFA production and fecal bile acid secretion in a rodent model (22). Longer terms studies (4-14 wk) in pigs fed raw potato starch (RS2) reported similar increases in SCFA production/concentration, and improvements in colonic length and mucosal integrity were observed (23,24).…”

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids, Microflora and Colitis

“…Thus, we recommend more studies in animals and humans to confirm the effect of these oils on intestinal microflora. The results might lead us to recommend including special oils in diets of patients with colitis.The interactions between diet and microflora have been investigated in various studies [1] . Some recent studies indicate that probiotics can ameliorate the inflammation in colitis [1,2] .…”

“…Some recent studies indicate that probiotics can ameliorate the inflammation in colitis [1,2] . On the other hand, there are reports which have shown that n-3 fatty acids can attenuate the inflammation of colitis, but there is no study evaluating the interaction between these fatty acids and probiotics in the intestinal environment.…”