Effect of acetic acid bacterium on ethanol oxidation in vivo

We investigated the possible effects of acetic acid bacterium on ethanol oxidation in vivo by monitoring the blood ethanol level after injecting 5% ethanol with (treated group) or without (control group) a freeze-dried bacterial cell suspension directly into the stomach of anesthesized rats. Paired comparison t-tests of the results indicate that the blood ethanol concentration of the rats in the treated group was significantly (p < 0.07) lower than that in the control group. When measured 10 min after administering ethanol into the gullet, the concentration in the stomach of the rats that received acetic acid bacterium simultaneously with ethanol was significantly (p < 0.10) lower than that of the rats that received ethanol alone. We consider that freeze-dried cells of acetic acid bacterium oxidized ethanol in the stomach and could be effective for reducing the blood ethanol level after drinking.