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The growth responses of a variety of human intestinal bacteria to partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) were investigated in vitro and in vivo. In an in vitro experiment, PHGG moderately enhanced growth of some bacterial strains including Bacteroides ovatus, Clostridium coccoides, C. butyricum, and Peptostreptococcus productus. Effects of PHGG intake (7 g/volunteer, 3 times per day, for 14 days) on fecal microflora, bacterial metabolites, and pH were investigated using nine healthy human volunteers. The count of Bifidobacterium spp. and the percentage of these species in the total count increased significantly during the PHGG intake periods. Among the acid-forming bacteria, Lactobacillus spp. also increased. The fecal pH and fecal bacterial metabolites such as β-glucuronidase activity, putrefactive products, and ammonia content were significantly decreased by PHGG intake. Two weeks after the end of PHGG intake, the bacterial counts and their biological manifestations appeared to return to the former state.
Ōkubo et al. (1994) studied this question.