Uses of Soluble Corn Fiber for Increasing Colonic Bacteria Populations and Increasing Mineral Absorption

Abstract

The present invention relates to fermentable soluble fibers, such as soluble corn fiber (SCF), and its uses in increasing colonic bacteria populations, and edible compositions useful in increasing colonic bacteria populations.

1 - 129 . (canceled) 
     
     
         130 . An edible composition comprising soluble corn fiber and one or more bacterial populations selected from the genera  Butyricicoccus  and  Oscillibacter , wherein the soluble corn fiber is made by a process comprising:
 providing an aqueous feed composition that is a dextrose syrup or a syrup made by hydrolysis of corn starch, the aqueous feed composition having a solids concentration of at least 90% by weight; and   contacting the feed composition for a time in the range of 0.1-15 minutes at a temperature of at least 149° C. with at least one catalyst that accelerates the rate of cleavage or formation of glucosyl bonds,   wherein the at least one catalyst is an acid added to the feed composition in an amount sufficient to make the pH of the feed composition 1.0-2.5,   to form a product composition that is at least 50% by weight on a dry solids basis slowly digestible as identified as being slowly digestible or digestion resistant by the Englyst Assay, the product composition including less than 50% on a dry solids basis of residual monosaccharides.   
     
     
         131 . The edible composition according to  claim 130 , wherein the one or more bacterial populations are selected from the genus  Butyricicoccus.    
     
     
         132 . The edible composition according to  claim 130 , wherein the one or more bacterial populations are selected from the genus  Oscillibacter.    
     
     
         133 . The edible composition according to  claim 130 , comprising two or more bacteria populations, each from a different genus selected from  Butyricicoccus  and  Oscillibacter.    
     
     
         134 . The edible composition according to claim  1 , wherein the composition comprises at least 2.5 g of soluble corn fiber per serving. 
     
     
         135 . The edible composition according to claim  1 , wherein the composition comprises no more than about 100 g of soluble corn fiber per serving. 
     
     
         136 . A method for increasing one or more colonic bacteria populations in a mammalian subject selected from the genera  Butyricicoccus  and  Oscillibacter  comprising administering an edible composition according to claim  1 . 
     
     
         137 . The edible composition for use according to  claim 136 , wherein the soluble corn fiber is administered at a rate of at least about 10 g/day, over the course of at least two weeks. 
     
     
         138 . A method for increasing one or more colonic bacteria populations in a mammalian subject selected from the genera  Butyricicoccus  and  Oscillibacter  comprising administering to the mammalian subject a composition comprising soluble corn fiber. 
     
     
         139 . The method according to  claim 138 , wherein the soluble corn fiber is made by process comprising:
 providing an aqueous feed composition that is a dextrose syrup or a syrup made by hydrolysis of corn starch, the aqueous feed composition having a solids concentration of at least 90% by weight; and   contacting the feed composition for a time in the range of 0.1-15 minutes at a temperature of at least 149° C. with at least one catalyst that accelerates the rate of cleavage or formation of glucosyl bonds,   wherein the at least one catalyst is an acid added to the feed composition in an amount sufficient to make the pH of the feed composition 1.0-2.5,   to form a product composition that is at least 50% by weight on a dry solids basis slowly digestible as identified as being slowly digestible or digestion resistant by the Englyst Assay, the product composition including less than 50% on a dry solids basis of residual monosaccharides.   
     
     
         140 . The method according to  claim 139 , wherein at least one of the one or more increased bacterial populations is from the genus  Butyricicoccus.    
     
     
         141 . The method according to  claim 139 , wherein at least one of the one or more increased bacterial populations is from the genus  Oscillibacter.    
     
     
         142 . The method according to  claim 139 , wherein the soluble corn fiber is administered at a rate of at least about 10 g/day, over the course of at least two weeks. 
     
     
         143 . The method according to  claim 140 , wherein the soluble corn fiber is administered at a rate of at least about 10 g/day, over the course of at least two weeks. 
     
     
         144 . The method according to  claim 141 , wherein the soluble corn fiber is administered at a rate of at least about 10 g/day, over the course of at least two weeks.