Volker Landschütze

A double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study to establish the bifidogenic effect of a very-long-chain inulin extracted from globe artichoke ( Cynara scolymus ) in healthy human subjects

There is growing interest in the use of inulins as substrates for the selective growth of beneficial gut bacteria such as bifidobacteria and lactobacilli because recent studies have established that their prebiotic effect is linked to several health benefits. In the present study, the impact of a very-long-chain inulin (VLCI), derived from globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus), on the human intestinal microbiota compared with maltodextrin was determined. A double-blind, cross-over study was carried out in thirty-two healthy adults who were randomised into two groups and consumed 10 g/d of either VLCI or maltodextrin, for two 3-week study periods, separated by a 3-week washout period. Numbers of faecal bifidobacteria and lactobacilli were significantly higher upon VLCI ingestion compared with the placebo. Additionally, levels of Atopobium group significantly increased, while Bacteroides-Prevotella numbers were significantly reduced. No significant changes in faecal SCFA concentrations were observed. There were no adverse gastrointestinal symptoms apart from a significant increase in mild and moderate bloating upon VLCI ingestion. These observations were also confirmed by in vitro gas production measurements. In conclusion, daily consumption of VLCI extracted from globe artichoke exerted a pronounced prebiotic effect on the human faecal microbiota composition and was well tolerated by all volunteers.

Safety evaluation of fibermalt.

Fibermalt is a new soluble fiber food ingredient produced with the use of an alternansucrase enzyme from Leuconostoc mesenteroides expressed in a non-pathogenic strain of Escherichia coli. Fibermalt is predominantly composed of indigestible maltose alternan oligosaccharides (≥ 80%). Fibermalt was non-mutagenic in a bacterial reverse mutation test. In a 13-week dietary rat study, fibermalt was administered at 0 (control), 50,000, 100,000 or 150,000 ppm. Statistically significant increases in food consumption were generally observed throughout the study in males receiving 100,000 or 150,000 ppm and in females receiving 100,000 ppm. However, there was no effect of fibermalt on mean body weight, body weight gain or food efficiency. All animals survived to scheduled termination and no adverse clinical signs were attributed to administration of fibermalt. There were no toxicologically relevant changes in hematology, clinical chemistry or urinalysis parameters or organ weights in males or females ingesting any concentration of fibermalt. Any macroscopic or microscopic findings were considered incidental, of normal variation and/or of minimal magnitude for test substance association. Based on these results, fibermalt is not mutagenic as evaluated in a bacterial reverse mutation test and has an oral subchronic (13-week) no observable adverse effect level (NOAEL) of 150,000 ppm in rats.