Combination of poly-γ-glutamic acid and galactooligosaccharide improves intestinal microbiota, defecation status, and relaxed mood in humans: a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group comparison trial

Bioscience of Microbiota, Food and Health

article

Kentaro UMEDA¹  Atsuko IKEDA¹  Ryo UCHIDA¹  Ikuko SASAHARA¹  Tomoyuki MINE²  Hitoshi MURAKAMI¹  Keishi KAMEYAMA¹ 

[1]Institute of Food Sciences and Technologies, Ajinomoto Co., Inc.

[2]Research & Business Planning Department, Ajinomoto Co., Inc.

关键词: intestinal regulation;    intestinal environment;    bifidobacteria;    galactooligosaccharide;    poly-γ-glutamic acid;   

DOI  :  10.12938/bmfh.2021-084

学科分类：生物科学（综合）

来源: Nihon Bifizusukin Senta / Japan Bifidus Foundation

【 摘 要 】

The genus Bifidobacterium comprises beneficial intestinal bacteria that play a crucial role in the regulation of human health. Traditional prebiotics are known to increase intestinal bifidobacteria by supplying a carbon source necessary for their growth. However, intestinal bifidobacteria need not only a carbon source but also a nitrogen source for growth. Moreover, the growth of bifidobacteria is known to be inhibited in a culture medium that does not contain glutamic acid. Based on these reports, we hypothesized that the combined intake of traditional prebiotics and glutamic acid would be beneficial for growth of bifidobacteria in the gut. In this study, we investigated the effects of the combination of galactooligosaccharide (GOS; traditional prebiotic material) and poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA; source of glutamic acid) and only GOS on the intestinal microbiota and health conditions (including intestinal regulation, mood status, gastrointestinal condition, skin condition, and sleep quality) in a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group comparison trial in healthy subjects. The combined intake of GOS and γ-PGA significantly increased the prevalence of B. longum compared to the intake of GOS alone. A minimum effective dose of 2.0 g GOS and 0.3 g γ-PGA improved defecation and mood status. We revealed the combined effects of GOS and γ-PGA on intestinal microbiota as well as physical condition and concluded that the delivery of glutamic acid to the large intestine with traditional prebiotics is useful as an advanced prebiotic.

【 授权许可】

CC BY