Review article Flatulence — Causes, relation to diet and remedies

Abstract

In addition to causing embarrassment and unease, flatulence is linked to a variety of symptoms, some of which may be distressing. This review describes the origins of intestinal gas, its composition and methods which have been developed for its analysis. Emphasis is placed upon the effects of legumes in the diet in producing excessive intestinal gas and, particularly, on the role of raffinose-type oligosaccharides, containing alpha-galactosidic groupings. Suggestions for overcoming the problem are presented, including drug treatment, enzyme treatment, food processing and plant breeding. It is emphasised that removal of all raffinose-oligosaccharides from beans does not remove the problem of flatulence in animals and man; the compounds responsible--though assumed to be polysaccharides (or polysaccharide-derived oligomers formed by processing or cooking)--have yet to be characterised.

Effect of various indigenous processing methods on the α‐galactoside and mono‐ and disaccharide content of an Indian tribal pulse, Mucuna pruriens var utilis

“…Owing to the absence of an a-1,6-galactosidase enzyme capable of hydrolysing the a-1,6-galactosidic linkage, these oligosaccharides accumulate in the lower intestine and undergo anaerobic fermentation by bacteria, which may result in the production of¯atus gases (H 2 , CO 2 and small amounts of CH 4 ), abdominal rumbling, diarrhoea and attendant discomfort. 8,14,15 Therefore, to utilise legumes as more acceptable sources of inexpensive proteins, it is desirable to reduce the¯atulence-inducing agents. Many studies have been conducted to determine the oligosaccharide content of various conventional legumes.…”

Effect of Germination on Physico-chemical Properties of Lentil Starch and its Components

“…Research has shown that, in common with other grain legumes, lentils contain a number of components called antinutritional factors which limit the wider use of harvested crop (1,2). Germination appears to be an inexpensive and effective method of achieving desirable changes in nutritious crops, and germinated seeds have become a widely accepted food item.…”

Soluble Carbohydrates in Soybean

“…Other than small amounts of maltose (Table 1), reducing sugars are in low concentrations, or not detected, in mature dry seeds. Stachyose and other RFO are not digested by humans, chickens, pigs, and other non-ruminant animals but are microbially fermented in the lower gut resulting in flatulence and reduced feed efficiency (Gitzelmann & Auricchio, 1965;Rutloff et al, 1967;Price et al, 1988;Sebastian et al, 2000).…”