Abstract: The characteristics of particles released from dietary fiber carrageenan and sugarcane bagasse after incubation with human faecal flora in vitro were studied. A Zeta potential analyzer was used to determine the particle size distribution andζ(Zeta) potential in the filtrate of the culture broth. Results showed that average diameter of fermented carrageenan particles was 465.1 nm, zeta potential was -34.29±1.73 mV, and those of fermented sugarcane bagasse were 801.7 nm (diameter) and -21.77±0.57 mV (Zeta potential). It was indicated that particles after fermentation have narrow size distribution. However there are differences in particle size and Zeta potential between the two dietary fibers.

Key words: dietary fiber, faecal flora, particle distribution, Zeta potential