Influence of insoluble fiber fractions from carambola and carrot on intestinal enzymes and fecal bacterial enzymes in hamsters

Juice production from carambola and carrot produces a large quantity of pomace. The pomace contains high levels of insoluble fiber fractions (IFFs) (50.8-56.3 g per 100 g of pomace, dry matter) that have desirable characteristics and physicochemical properties. In this study, the influence of IFFs derived from the pomace was investigated on the intestinal enzymes, fecal bacterial enzymes, and some biochemical parameters in the hamster. Our results showed that feeding carambola and carrot IFFs at 5% of the diet to hamsters significantly (P <.05) reduced cecal pH (6.50-6.64), cecal and fecal ammonia levels (by 18.8%-21.2% and 50.0%-53.7%, respectively), and the activities of beta-D-glucosidase (by 12.1%-20.1%), beta-D-glucuronidase (by 54.8%-78.2%), mucinase (by 12.6%-20.2%), and urease (by 60.3%-63.7%) in feces. These results suggest that IFFs in carambola and carrot might exert favorable effects on improving intestinal functions and health and could be exploited as functional ingredients in fiber-rich food products. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.