Synergism of gos and polyfructose

Abstract

The present invention relates to the filed of prebiotics. Provided are uses for compositions comprising synergistically effective amounts of polyfructose and galactooligosaccharides (GOS).

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
   
   
       16 . A method of (a) increasing intestinal and/or faecal short chain fatty acid levels, (b) increasing intestinal and/or faecal acetate levels relative to total short chain fatty acids, (c) increasing intestinal lactate levels, (d) decreasing intestinal and/or faecal pH, (e) decreasing total intestinal and/or faecal butyrate, isobutyrate, valerate and/or isovalerate relative to total short chain fatty acids, (f) decreasing intestinal gas production, and/or (g) promoting the production of short chain fatty acids at the beginning, middle or end of the colon, without having a significant effect on the total and/or relative number of intestinal bifidobacteria, the method comprising administering to a mammal a composition comprising galacto-oligosaccharides and polyfructose. 
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the ratio of galacto-oligosaccharide:polyfructose is 3:97 to 97:3. 
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the ratio of galacto-oligosaccharide:polyfructose is 5:95 to 95:5. 
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the ratio of galacto-oligosaccharide:polyfructose is 90:10 to 45:55. 
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the galacto-oligosaccharide is transgalacto-oligosaccharide. 
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the polyfructose is inulin. 
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the inulin has an average degree of polymerisation of 20 or above. 
   
   
       23 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the galacto-oligosaccharide is transgalacto-oligosaccharide and the polyfructose is inulin. 
   
   
       24 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the faecal pH, intestinal pH, or both is decreased to below pH 6. 
   
   
       25 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the faecal pH, intestinal pH, or both is decreased to below pH 5.75. 
   
   
       26 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the concentration of intestinal lactate, faecal lactate, or both is increased to above about 10 mmol/kg faeces. 
   
   
       27 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the concentration of intestinal acetate, faecal acetate, or both is increased to above about 85% of the total SCFA. 
   
   
       28 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the sum of intestinal and/or faecal butyrate, isobutyrate, valerate and isovalerate is decreased to below 7% of total SCFA. 
   
   
       29 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the composition is suitable for oral administration to an infant. 
   
   
       30 . A method of relaxing contractions of the colon comprising administering to a mammal a composition comprising galacto-oligosaccharides and polyfructose. 
   
   
       31 . A method of increasing the intestinal barrier functioning and/or mucus production of the large intestine comprising administering to a mammal a composition comprising galacto-oligosaccharides and polyfructose. 
   
   
       32 . The method of preventing or treating a condition selected from abdominal bloating, gas formation, abdominal pain, flatulence, allergy, eczema, atopic diseases, irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease, the method comprising administering to a mammal a composition comprising galacto-oligosaccharides and polyfructose. 
   
   
       33 . The method according to  claim 32 , wherein the ratio of galacto-oligosaccharide:polyfructose is 3:97 to 97:3. 
   
   
       34 . The method according to  claim 32 , wherein the ratio of galacto-oligosaccharide:polyfructose is 5:95 to 95:5. 
   
   
       35 . The method according to  claim 32 , wherein the ratio of galacto-oligosaccharide:polyfructose is 90:10 to 45:55. 
   
   
       36 . The method according to  claim 32 , wherein the galacto-oligosaccharide is transgalacto-oligosaccharide. 
   
   
       37 . The method according to  claim 32 , wherein the polyfructose is inulin. 
   
   
       38 . The method according to  claim 32 , wherein the galacto-oligosaccharide is transgalacto-oligosaccharide and the polyfructose is inulin.