[Metabolic behavior of disaccharide alcohols and related substances].

The present study suggests that part of the digestion of disaccharide alcohols is due to microbic processes, primarily in the cecum. The utilization of sorbitol and palatinitol by endogenous metabolic systems seems to be restricted insofar as these substances become accessible to the intestinal flora. Interim products of the bacterial fermentation are likely to be utilized by the host organism.