Abstract:

Purpose: To study the effect of konjac glucomannan on short-chain fatty acids in the cecal contents of mice so
as to provide a scientific basis for the development of functional foods with intestinal health maintenance. Methods: Forty
seven-week-old BALB/c male mice were randomly divided into four groups: control, and KGM low-, moderate- and highdose
groups with 10 mice in each group. The mice were fed with AIN93 purified feed plus different doses of KGM (0, 25,
50, and 75 g/kg). The mice were sacrificed by cervical dislocation after 4 weeks and their cecal contents were dissected and
collected. Gas chromatography was used to determinate the types and contents of short-chain fatty acids. The suitable dose
of KGM for dietary supplementation was then determined. Results: Different doses of KGM exerted considerably different
effects on short-chain fatty acids in mouse cecum. Moderate-dose KGM (50 g/kg) significantly (P ＜ 0.01) promoted the
production of acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid; low-dose KGM (25 g/kg) significantly promoted the production
of acetic acid and butyric acid (P ＜ 0.05); high-dose KGM (75 g/kg) not only significantly promoted the production of
acetic acid (P ＜ 0.05) but also significantly inhibited the generation of propionic acid (P ＜ 0.05). Different doses of KGM
neither promoted nor inhibited the production of isobutyric acid. Conclusion: Moderate-dose KGM (50 g/kg) and low-dose
KGM (25 g/kg) have a good intestinal prebiotic effect on BALB/c male mice and the potential of preventing and treating
intestinal disease.

Key words: konjac glucomannan, short-chain fatty acids, enteric fermentation, butyric acid