本研究的目的在探討含菊苣糖之綠茶飲料,對於大白鼠腸道菌相以及消化酵素活性的影響。本研究以24隻六週齡大之雄性SD大白鼠為實驗對象,在預備飼養後,隨機分為三組,每組8隻。對照組給予正常飼料,實驗組則分別添加1.5或3.0 g/kg/day之菊苣糖綠茶粉末於飼料中。於第4週及第8週檢測其糞便中之厭氧細菌總數、乳酸桿菌、雙叉桿菌、及大腸桿菌。於第8週時犧牲動物,檢測其空腸中脂解酶及雙醣酶之酵素活性。試驗結果發現:攝取低劑量菊苣糖綠茶粉末8週後,實驗動物糞便中的乳酸桿菌菌數顯著增加 (p < 0.05)。攝取高劑量菊苣糖綠茶粉末組,於實驗第4週後,乳酸桿菌菌數即有顯著增加(p < 0.05)。但是,菊苣糖綠茶粉末對於糞便中的雙叉桿菌菌數則無顯著的影響。另外,不論攝取低劑量或高劑量的菊苣糖綠茶粉末,在實驗後第4和8週均可顯著降低糞便中大腸桿菌菌數(p < 0.05)。攝取高劑量的菊苣糖綠茶粉末可以顯著增加大白鼠空腸前段中脂解酶和蔗糖酶等消化酵素活性(p < 0.05)。綜合以上結果,在飼料中添加菊苣糖綠茶粉末,不僅可以增加實驗動物腸道內益生菌、抑制有害菌,改善腸道菌相平衡,亦可增加空腸黏膜消化酵素活性,有助於腸道健康。
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of green tea beverage contain inulin on the intestinal microflora ecology and digestive enzymes in rats. Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups : control (C), low (L) and high dosage (H) groups (1.50 and 3.0 g/kg BW/day green tea beverage powder were added to the diet of L and H groups, respectively). The green tea beverage powder was made from the green tea beverage containing inulin after freeze-dried. Fecal samples were collected at week 4 and 8, and analyzed for intestinal microflora. Jejunal samples were collected at week 8, and analyzed for digestive enzymes. The rats in H group had higher fecal Lactobacillus and lower E. coli counts at both week 4 and 8, than those in C group (p < 0.05). Rats in L group had higher fecal Lactobacillus at week 8 and lower E. coli counts at week 4 and 8, than those in C group (p < 0.05). In addition, the jejunal lipase and lactase activities were significantly increased in H group (p < 0.05), but not in L group. In conclusion, our results suggested that high dosage of green tea beverage powder not only modulated the intestinal microflora ecology but also increased the digestive enzymes activities in rats.