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The ability of blackcurrant extracts to positively modulate key markers of gastrointestinal function in rats

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Abstract

An animal model was used to assess the effects of orally administered aqueous extract from two commercial health supplement ingredients; First Leaf (FL; composed of blackcurrant extract powder, lactoferrin and lutein and is developed by the Four Leaf Japan Co. Ltd, Japan) and Cassis Anthomix 30 (CAM30; blackcurrant extract powder which is developed by Just the Berries Ltd, New Zealand) on the proliferation of lactobacilli and bifidobacterial species and some undesirable bacteria in the caeca of rats. Gavaging rats with CAM30, FL or inulin three times weekly for 4 weeks resulted in a significant increase in the numbers of bifidobacteria and/or lactobacilli and a significant decrease in the numbers of bacteroides and clostridia. Moreover, rats gavaged with FL, CAM30 and inulin showed 31.5, 18 and 15% reduction in the activity of β-glucuronidase and 26, 30.4 and 18% increment in the activity of β-glucosidase when compared to the control group gavaged with water, respectively. These benefits may make these products good candidates as prebiotic agents. In conclusion, this study has shown that FL and CAM30 can positively modulate key markers of gastrointestinal function in rats.

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Abbreviations

FL:

First Leaf product (composed of blackcurrant extract powder, lactoferrin and lutein)

BC:

Blackcurrant concentrates

CAM30:

Cassis Athomix 30 (blackcurrant extract powder)

FOS:

Fructooligosaccharides

NOVA:

One way analysis of variance

TAA:

Total antioxidant activity

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by “Four Leaf Japan Co., Ltd.” and “Just the Berries Ltd”.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Human Nutrition and Physiology Division, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North, New Zealand

    Abdul-Lateef Molan, Zhuojian Liu & Marlena Kruger

Authors
  1. Abdul-Lateef Molan
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  2. Zhuojian Liu
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  3. Marlena Kruger
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Correspondence to Abdul-Lateef Molan.

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Molan, AL., Liu, Z. & Kruger, M. The ability of blackcurrant extracts to positively modulate key markers of gastrointestinal function in rats. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 26, 1735–1743 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-010-0352-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-010-0352-4

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