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World J Gastroenterol. Feb 21, 2006; 12(7): 1129-1132
Published online Feb 21, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i7.1129
Effect of special Hungarian probiotic kefir on faecal microflora
Mária Figler, Gyula Mózsik, Béla Schaffer, Beáta Gasztonyi, Pongrác Ács, Béla Szili, Regina Rab, Sándor Szakály
Mária Figler, Rab Regina, Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Pécs, Hungary
Mária Figler, Gyula Mózsik, Beáta Gasztonyi, First Department of Medicine; University of Pécs, Hungary
Béla Schaffer, Béla Szili, Sándor Szakály, Hungarian Dairy Research Institute, university of Pécs, Hungary
Pongrác Ács, Faculty of Economics, Department of Statistics, University of Pécs, Hungary
Supported by OMFB grant 110/2000
Correspondence to: Professor Dr. Mária Figler, PhD, First Department of Medicine, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Ifjúság útja 13, Hungary. maria.figler@aok.pte.hu
Telephone: +36-72-536167 Fax: +36-72-536167
Received: July 8, 2005
Revised: July 2, 2005
Accepted: December 26, 2005
Published online: February 21, 2006
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the effect of a four-week consumption of a special Hungarian probiotic agent (Biofir®) on the faecal microflora in human healthy subjects.

METHODS: The effect of Biofir® with 106/cm3 initial germs on the faecal microflora was studied in 120 healthy volunteers (71 females, 49 males). The traditional Russian type kefir was used as control. The various germ groups and pH values were determined in wk 2, 4 and 6.

RESULTS: The number of all microbes increased during the 4-week probiotic treatment. The number of microbes increased 4.3-fold in the control group and 6.8-fold in Biofir-treated group. The probiotic kefir caused multiplication of the probiotic flora, meanwhile the undesired bacteria multiplied in the control group. No significant change of pH values of the faeces was found in both groups.

CONCLUSION: The Hungarian probiotic kefir (Biofir®) is capable of promoting multiplication of probiotic bacterial flora in the large bowel.

Keywords: Hungarian probiotic agent (Biofir); Faecal microflora; Large bowel