Particle size reduction effectively enhances the intestinal health-promotion ability of an orange insoluble fiber in hamsters.

The effects of particle size changes by micronization on the intestinal health-promotion ability of orange insoluble fiber fraction (IFF) were investigated in a hamster model by feeding 3 diets, which contained unmicronized IFF (control), jet-milled IFF, and high-pressure micronized IFF as the sole fiber source in diet. The results showed that the micronization treatments significantly altered the physicochemical properties of insoluble fiber. The consumption of the micronized fibers (6.26 to 11.4 microm) at a level of 50 g/kg diet, especially those prepared by high-pressure micronization, resulted in significant (P < 0.05) improvements in cecal and fecal parameters such as reduced cecal ammonia concentration (-37.1%), increased fecal moisture (164%), and decreased activities of beta-D-glucuronidase (-68.3%) and mucinase (-28.5%) in feces. Both the particle size and treatment were important factors affecting the composition and physiological functions of fibers, and the consumption of micronized fiber might exert favorable effects on improving the intestinal health of hamsters. This study might give some hints for the potential applications of micron technology in food industry and provide opportunities to develop new formulations of fiber-rich functional foods.