Abstract:

Objective: To evaluate the effect of potato pulp under different treatments on growth behavior, intestinal
mciroflora and intestinal microvilli of rats. Methods: Totally 30 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were selected and divided
into control group, untreated group and hydrolysis group with 10 rats in each group. The experimental diets for the
untreated group and hydrolysis group were added with 5% potato pulp and cellulose-hydrolyzed potato pulp, and both of
which replaced part of wheat bran. Results: The hydrolysis group revealed more body weight gain than the control group
and untreated group. The hydrolysis group also had the lowest gain-to-feed ratio. Hydrolyzed potato pulp could promote
the proliferation of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, but inhibit the proliferation of Escherichia coli and Enterococci.
The hydrolysis group exhibited the highest villus height, unchanged crypt depth, and the highest ratio of villus-height
to crypt-depth. Conclusion: Cellulose-hydrolyzed potato pulp can promote the body growth of rats, regulate intestinal
microecological balance and improve the growth of intestinal microvilli.

Key words: cellulose, SD rats, growth behavior, intestinal microflora, intestinal microvilli