The Chemical Analysis and Function of "Mekabu" (Sporophyll of Undaria pinnatifida) Element

“Mekabu”是“裙带菜”（裙带菜）根部附近形成的孢子叶。“梅卡布”的黏性渗出物主要由褐藻酸组成。本研究的目的是阐明“梅卡布”的生理作用和化学作用。比较了“米菜”与“裙带菜”、“Konbu”的黏性渗出液的黏度和褐藻酸含量。用E型粘度计测定粘度，用高效液相色谱法测定褐藻酸含量。“梅菜”黏性渗出液的黏度和褐藻酸含量均高于“裙带菜”和“Konbu”。难以消化的多糖可以在大肠中发酵产生短链脂肪酸（SCFA）。几乎所有的短链脂肪酸都被吸收并进入宿主动物的系统能量池。除了提供能量外，短链脂肪酸还对消化器官有生理影响。因此，我们测量了在猪盲肠细菌间歇培养中从“Mekabu”提取的海藻酸钠或粘性渗出物中释放的气体和短链脂肪酸的产量。从培养物中可以忽略不计的气体释放和短链脂肪酸的产生表明海藻酸对后肠细菌的发酵性很差。在日粮中添加粘性膳食纤维会使消化器官增大。膳食纤维的黏度可能在这些作用中起重要作用。我们观察了美卡布对大鼠血浆胆固醇、消化器官和盲肠内容物的影响。雄性SD大鼠分别饲喂含有“美卡布”、提取海藻酸钠或黏性渗出物的饲料5周。海藻酸钠组大鼠血浆胆固醇水平明显低于对照组大鼠。食用海藻酸钠可引起小肠和盲肠肿大。饲粮中添加“梅卡布”、提取海藻酸钠或黏性渗出液均能提高盲肠内容物的持水能力。

"Mekabu" is the sporophyll formed near the root of "Wakame" (undaria pinnatifida). The viscous exudate of the "Mekabu" mainly consists of alginic acid. The aim of this study was to clarify the physiological effects and chemistry of "Mekabu".The viscosity and alginic acid content of viscous exudate extracted from "Mekabu" were compared with "Wakame" and "Konbu". The viscosity was determined with an E type viscometer and the alginic acid content was analyzed by HPLC.The viscosity and alginic acid content of viscous exudate extracted from "Mekabu" were greater than those of exudate extracted from "Wakame" or "Konbu".Indigestible polysaccharides can be fermented in the large intestine to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). Almost all of SCFA are absorbed and enter the systemic energy pool of the host animal. Apart from their energy contribution, SCFA have physiological influences on digestive organs. Accordingly, we measured released gas and SCFA production from sodium alginate or viscous exudate extracted from "Mekabu" in batch culture using pig cecal bacteria. The negligible gas release and SCFA production from cultures suggested that alginic acid was poorly fermentable for hindgut bacteria.The addition of viscous dietary fiber to the diet causes an enlargement of digestive organs. The viscosity of dietary fiber may play an important role in these effects. We observed influences of "Mekabu" on plasma cholesterol, digestive organs and cecal contents in rats. Male SD rats fed for 5 weeks on the diets containing "Mekabu", extacted sodium alginate or viscous exudate. The plasma cholesterol in sodium alginate fed rats was significanly lower than that in control rats. Dietary sodium alginate caused an enlargement of small intestine and cecum. The addition of "Mekabu", extacted sodium alginate or viscous exudate to diet increased water holding capacity of cecal contens.