[Effects of formula diet with varying carbohydrate proportion on gut microflora in man]

The effects of conventional food and of formula diet on gut microflora were tested in six healthy persons. In comparison with conventional food, the total gut microflora concentrations slightly increased during formula diet with oligosaccharides. During the periods of formula diet rich in sucrose of maltose, total flora concentrations declined. These changes of total gut microflora were especially caused by the increase and decrease of the enterococci and enterobacteria, the bacteroides showing rather small changes. The concentrations of lactobacteria, sporeforming bacilli and yeasts decreased rapidly with formula diet and did not increase again until normal food was supplied.