Effect of inulin supplemented UHT milk consumption on faecal bifi dobacterium sp. and lactobacillus sp. of healthy children in Depok, Indonesia

Introduction: This study investigated the effect of inulin-supplemented ultrahigh temperature (UHT) milk consumption on the number of Lactobacillus sp. and Bifi dobacterium sp. in the faeces of healthy Indonesian children. Methods: This study used a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled pre-post designed clinical trial of 153 healthy participants (4-12 years old children) who received UHT milk supplemented by 1 mg (n = 50), or 1.5 mg of inulin (n = 48), or placebo (n = 55). They received two servings per day over a course of 21 days with a 3-day wash-out period. Children assisted by parents were asked to complete a three-day food record prior to the course and to fi ll-in a FAQ over the 21-day period of this study. The faecal samples of the subjects were grown on calcium carbonate-MRS agar medium. The colonies which showed a clear zone were isolated and tested for Lactobacillus sp. and Bifi dobacterium sp. using catalase test, Gram staining, and RapID™ ANA II. Results: No signifi cant difference was found on colony counts before treatment (p = 0.986) and on inulin dosage given to all three groups (p = 0.453). Post-treatment, showed signifi cant difference in colony counts between treatment groups (p=0.046 for 2 g/day group and p=0.049 for 3 g/day group) and placebo, but no signifi cant difference was found between the two treatment groups. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that inulin-supplemented UHT milk could help increase the amount of faecal Lactobacillus sp. and Bifi dobacterium sp. regardless of the dosage. There was no difference in the amount of faecal Lactobacillus sp. and Bifi dobacterium sp between the two dosage regimes (2 g and 3 g inulin per day).