Fiber Gum Research Articles

Australian wheat and hardwood fibers for advanced packaging materials

Abstract Alternative crop fibers have shown great potential for paper applications, especially packaging. We demonstrate Australian wheat straw processing using a Regmed MD-3000 disc refiner to produce mechanical pulp fibers and assessment by making 60, 120 and 300 g/m2 handsheets. Wheat fibers and spotted gum fibers were then enzymatically sized (hydrophobized) by esterification to reduce the surface spread of water by 51 % and 36 %, respectively. Coffee pods (300 g/m2 equivalent) were manufactured using a thermoformer to demonstrate the versatility of mechanical wheat straw pulp fibers as a sustainable resource for food packaging application.

Humidity-Responsive Guar Gum Fibers by Wet Spinning.

In this study, guar gum fibers were obtained by wet spinning, in which epichlorohydrin (ECH) and calcium chloride (CaCl2) were used as the cross-linking agent and metal complexing agent, respectively. The fibers' chemical structure, morphology, crystallinity, and thermal and mechanical properties were analyzed by Fourier infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and so forth. The results showed that ECH reacted with guar gum and formed ether bonds. Meanwhile, ECH can effectively increase the number of cross-linking points and improve the mechanical properties of the fibers. When the ECH content was 12% (w/w), the breaking strength could reach 2.4 cN/dtex. The conductivity of MC-GG fibers varied with the relative humidity and could reach 2.845 × 10-2 S/cm at maximum. Meanwhile, the contact angle of MC-GG fibers was 33°, indicating that the fibers had good hydrophilicity and humidity response ability and had excellent potential in the field of smart fabrics.

Lower ileostomy output among patients with postoperative colorectal cancer after being supplemented with partially hydrolyzed guar gum: Outcome of a pilot study

BackgroundHigh stoma output is a significant complication after bowel surgery that causes dehydration, resulting in acute kidney injury, electrolyte imbalances, unintentional weight loss, and malnutrition. This study evaluates the postoperative ileostomy output among patients with colorectal cancer after being supplemented with partially hydrolyzed guar gum. MethodsThis cross-sectional study collected sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, stoma output, and dietary intake upon discharge, hospitalization, and readmission within 30 d of discharge. ResultsA total of 29 participants were recruited, with 72.4% having moderate malnutrition risk. Patients who received partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) fiber reported lower stoma output with firmer output consistency than patients who received standard care (SC) (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01). Patients who received PHGG achieved higher energy, protein, and soluble fiber intake than did the SC group (P < 0.01) upon discharge. There was a significant inverse association between soluble fiber (PHGG fiber + dietary soluble fiber) intake and ileostomy output (r, –0.494; P = 0.006). ConclusionsPartially hydrolyzed guar gum fiber acts as an agent to hold water, reduce the speed of gastrointestinal tract transit, increase effluent viscosity, and potentially decrease water losses. Supplementation with PHGG fiber appeared to minimize ileostomy output and improve clinical outcomes among postoperative ileostomy patients. This needs to be evaluated further with a randomized controlled trial to confirm this preliminary finding.

Prospects of Maize (Corn) Wet Milling By-Products as a Source of Functional Food Ingredients and Nutraceuticals.

SUMMARYMaize (corn) consists of germ, endosperm and pericarp, with different chemical compositions. During wet milling, the maize is disintegrated into the main product starch and by-products, including maize germ, maize fibre and maize gluten (the technical term for maize/corn endosperm-specific proteins and not the same as wheat gluten). These by-products are used as low-value animal feed products. The maize germ contains high amounts of tocols and phospholipids, the maize gluten is rich in carotenoids and the maize fibre fraction is rich in phytosterols and complex carbohydrates. Each by-product has a potential to serve as a precursor in the manufacture of functional food ingredients or nutraceuticals that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypocholesterolaemic, hypolipidaemic and hypoglycaemic properties. These food ingredients/nutraceuticals can be obtained through physical, chemical or enzymatic processes. Some nutraceuticals and food ingredients with market potential include maize/corn fibre gum, oil, arabinoxylans and xylooligosaccharides from maize fibre; maize germ oil and phospholipid ester from maize germ; and carotenoids and oligopeptides from maize gluten. This review focuses on current and prospective research into the use of maize germ, maize fibre and maize gluten in the production of potentially high-quality food ingredients or nutraceuticals.

Performance of Selected Natural Bio-Polymers for Fluid Loss Control in Water-Based Drilling Fluid: A Literature Review

Fluid loss to the formation is a well-known problem during exploration and production phases of the upstream sector of oil and gas industry. In fluid filtration formation reduction, it is customary to add chemical additives such as polyanionic, lignosulfonate and carboxyl methyl cellulose in different proportions to build a decent filter cake. This will serve as semi-permeable membrane around the well bore. However, to minimize the cost, the use of less expensive, widely available and environmental benign natural polymers is required. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the performance of some selected natural biopolymers for fluid loss control in water-based drilling fluid as majority of the polymers used for controlling fluid losses are imported and are quite expensive. Importation, no doubt, adds to the overall co st of drilling operations. However, with the use of local polymers, the operational cost could be reduced, new markets created, which stimulate and promote their cultivation, preservation and job creation. In view of this, the study has evaluated and optimized four less investigated local biopolymers using a reduced central composite experimental protocol for the development of new generation of water-based drilling fluids. The study revealed that there is a significant improvement in the properties of the beneficiated clay. Therefore, the study upon review suggested that their heological properties of the base fluid slurry significantly improved in the presence of detarium microcarpum, food gum, roseline fiber, coconut fiber and local barite. The study contribution to knowledge indicated that C. populnea (food gum fiber), coconut fiber and C. sabdariffa (roseline) has been widely used in polymer industry as reinforcements. Keywords: Optimization, Polymer Admixture, Upstream Sector, Oil Industry, Gas Industry, Nigeria

DIETARY FIBER GUAR GUM EXACERBATES COLONIC INFLAMMATION IN MULTIPLE EXPERIMENTAL MODELS OF INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE

Abstract The role of fermentable dietary fibers in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is not understood. Herein, we elucidated the effect of dietary fiber guar gum, commonly added to a wide range of processed foods, on colonic inflammation. The use of three different IBD models allowed us to examine the effect of guar gum on various aspects of human IBD, such as immune hyperactivity [IL-10 receptor (IL-10R) neutralization], epithelial injury [dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)], and infection [Citrobacter rodentium (CR)]-mediated inflammation. Wild-type (WT, C57BL/6) mice fed either control cellulose (insoluble fiber, aka non-fermentable fiber) or guar gum (soluble fiber, aka fermentable fiber, 7.5% w/w) were administered four weekly injections of IL-10R neutralizing antibody (α-IL-10R) to induce immune-hyperactivation mediated chronic colitis. Guar gum treated mice developed robust α-IL-10R mediated colitis. Guar gum fed mice had splenomegaly, colomegaly, elevated systemic proinflammatory markers [serum amyloid A (SAA), lipocalin 2 (Lcn2) and keratinocyte-derived chemokine (KC)] and elevated colonic Lcn2 and interleukin (IL)-1β, and histopathology scores compared to control, cellulose-fed, mice. Similar results were observed in Toll-like receptor 5 deficient mice, which are prone to develop microbiota-dependent colitis. Next, to examine the effect of guar gum on the epithelial injury model, mice were treated with DSS (1.4% w/v in drinking water) for seven days. The guar gum fed group developed severe colitis, including reduced body weight, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, shortening of colon length, and elevated levels of pro-inflammatory markers (Lcn2, KC, and SAA)compared to the control group. The last model to be tested was infection-induced colitis. Since inflammation is required to clear the infection, we hypothesized that guar gum fed mice might clear CR infection better than controls. To our surprise, guar gum fed WT mice shed higher numbers of CR in the feces than the cellulose group. The guar gum fed mice had lower body weights, colomegaly, an elevated level of colonic and serum Lcn2, and higher serum SAA than the control group. Collectively, guar gum failed to protect against CR-induced colonic pathology. Altogether, the work demonstrates that guar gum feeding may exacerbate colonic inflammation following immune-hyperactivation, chemical, and infectious injury. Cautioning IBD patients to monitor their consumption of guar gum fiber might be a way to reduce the severity of intestinal inflammation.

172 Increasing inclusion of fermentable fiber decreases nutrient digestibility in grower pigs

Abstract Fermentable fiber may increase endogenous losses of P and AA, thereby reducing apparent nutrient digestibility. Acacia gum fiber with medium-to-high fermentability and low viscosity was used to investigate its effect on apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients, and standardized total tract digestibility (STTD) of P in grower pigs. A P-free basal diet (49% corn starch; 18% bovine plasma protein) was formulated to measure basal endogenous P losses (EPL). Three diets were formulated to include 2.5, 5.0, or 7.5% acacia gum fiber at the expense of corn starch in the P-free basal diet. Diets contained 16.1–17.4% CP and 0.31–0.33% total P (DM-basis). The 4 diets were fed to 8 ileal-cannulated barrows (initial BW, 54.6 kg) for four 9-d periods in a double 4 × 4 Latin square. Apparent hindgut fermentation (AHF) was ATTD minus AID. Increasing inclusion of acacia gum quadratically decreased (P &amp;lt; 0.01) AID of DM (∆ 11.1%), linearly decreased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) ATTD of DM (∆ 1.7%) CP (∆ 1.2%), and quadratically increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) AHF of DM (∆ 9.4%). Basal EPL were 391 and 377 mg/kg DM intake (DMI) for ileum and total tract, respectively. Increasing inclusion of fiber linearly increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) ileal EPL (∆ 184 mg/kg DMI), and tended to linearly increase (P &amp;lt; 0.10) EPL for total tract (∆ 243 mg/kg DMI). Dietary inclusion of acacia gum tended to linearly decrease (P &amp;lt; 0.10) AID of P, but did not affect (P &amp;gt; 0.10) ATTD, or STTD of P. In conclusion, increasing inclusion of fermentable, low viscous acacia gum fiber decreased diet digestibility of DM and ATTD of CP, but did not affect total tract P digestibility, indicating that increasing fermentable fiber did not increase specific endogenous losses of P in the total tract.

The incorporation of polysaccharides in grilled beef patties: influence on the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heterocyclic aromatic amines

The effects of wheat fiber (1 and 2%) and the mixture of xanthan and guar gums (0.5%; 4:1) incorporations in beef patties on the levels of formed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heterocyclic aromatic amines (HCAs) were evaluated. In this regard, the samples were stored at − 18 °C during different storage times (days 0, 45, and 90) and then were grilled at 175 °C for 5 min. At day 0, a significant (P < 0.05) difference in the formation of PAHs and HCAs among treated beef patties and control samples was noted. The formation of carcinogenic compounds at day 0 was reduced while fiber and gums together were added. The highest reduction in PAHs and HCAs levels among treatments was related to benzo [b] fluorantene (36–42%) and 2-amino-3-methyl-imidazo [4, 5-f] quinoline (60–74%), respectively. Also, the frozen storage of samples for 45 and 90 days significantly (P < 0.05) caused an increase and decrease in the PAHs and in HCAs levels, respectively. Therefore, the incorporation the combination of wheat fiber (2%), xanthan and guar gums (0.5%) can be suggested as a promising strategy to reduce the levels of PAHs and HCAs in beef patties.

Development and characterization of pickering emulsion stabilized by zein/corn fiber gum (CFG) complex colloidal particles

Pickering emulsions stabilized by food-compatible particles have drawn researchers’ attention in recent years. In this study, we have fabricated Pickering emulsions stabilized by zein/corn fiber gum (CFG) complex particles (ZCPs) via electrostatic interaction. The particle size of zein nanoparticle was 173.4 ± 2.16 nm, and the ζ-potential was +27.4 ± 1.27 mV. The presence of CFG significantly changed the particle size and ζ-potential of zein nanoparticles. The average ζ-potential of ZCPs was about −27 mV. The average particle size of ZCPs was much larger than that of pure zein nanoparticles, varying from 309 nm to 901 nm. When the mass ratio of zein to CFG was 2:1, ZCPs had the smallest particle size of 309.4 ± 2.48 nm and the ζ-potential was −26.7 ± 0.84 mV, which confirmed the adsorption of CFG onto the surface of zein particles. With an increase in CFG concentration, the contact angles (θo/w) of ZCPs tended to decrease. When the mass ratio of zein to CFG was 2:1, the θo/w was close to 90°, which favored for fabricating stable Pickering emulsion. In addition, at a constant particle concentration, with increasing oil volume fraction, the particle size and viscosity of Pickering emulsion stabilized by ZCPs increased. CLSM and Cryo-SEM observations indicated that ZCPs adsorbed homogeneously at the oil-water interface, and the adsorption of the ZCPs favored the formation of a densely packed layer at the interface, contributing to the formation of gel network structure of emulsion droplets. This study provided new insight into the fabrication food-grade Pickering emulsion, which can be used as delivery system for bioactive compound in food formulations.

A QbD approach for the fabrication of immediate and prolong buoyant cinnarizine tablet using polyacrylamide-g-corn fibre gum

The main hurdle in the oral delivery of cinnarizine is its supersaturation, precipitation and re-dissolution process, influencing the oral bioavailability. To overcome this problem, an attempt was made to develop immediate and prolong buoyant tablet of cinnarizine. For this purpose, polyacrylamide-g-corn fibre gum (p-CFG) was synthesized as mucoadhesive cum swellable polymer and it was compared with already used HPMC K4M polymer. The central composite design with two numeric and one categorical factor was choosen to optimize conc. of p-CFG (X1), concentration of NaHCO3 (X2) and type of effervescent agents (X3). The bioadhesive strength of p-CFG tablet was 2.4 times higher than HPMC K4M containing tablet. The formulation composition comprises of p-CFG (64.3%), sodium bi‑carbonate (12.9%) and citric acid (2%) (FCNZ) fulfilled the maximum requirement of an optimized formulation. The in-vivo animal pharmacokinetic performance revealed larger plasma half-life and reduced elimination rate as compared to CNZ suspension. Interestingly, the absorption of CNZ from optimized formulation was 3 times enhanced than from CNZ suspension. Overall, the enhancement in the oral bioavailability of CNZ was evident that is due to its prolonged gastric residence time. Furthermore, the swelling associated floating followed by mucoadhesive nature of tablet was observed by X-ray imaging studies.

Guar gum fiber increases suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 expression via toll-like receptor 2 and dectin-1 pathways, regulating inflammatory response in small intestinal epithelial cells.

Direct regulation of intestinal inflammation by intact dietary fibers is still unclear. Here, the anti-inflammatory regulation by intact guar gum (GG) was investigated using mice and human intestinal Caco-2 cells. Administration of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) increased myeloperoxidase activity and CXC motif chemokine ligand2 (an IL-8 homolog) expression in the small intestines of mice, while supplemental GG reduced these increases. Stimulation of Caco-2 cells with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α induced IL-8 expression through nuclear factor kappa B p65, spleen tyrosine kinase, and mitogen-activated protein kinases pathways. Pre-treatment of cells with GG reduced the TNF-α-induced IL-8 expression and cellular signaling. GG increased the suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)-1 expression in Caco-2 cells, suggesting that this is one of the probable mechanisms involved in GG-mediated anti-inflammatory regulation. The anti-inflammatory regulation and SOCS-1 expression induced by GG were sensitive to neutralization of toll-like receptor (TLR)2 and dectin-1, and to inhibition of Janus kinase (JAK) and tyrosine kinase cSrc pathways. Finally, supplemental GG increased SOCS-1 expression in the small intestines of both DSS-administered and normal mice. Intact GG activates TLR2 and dectin-1, and increases SOCS-1 expression via JAK and cSrc pathways, resulting in anti-inflammatory regulation in intestinal epithelium.

Effects of Xanthan gum biopolymer on soil strengthening

The general aim of soil treatment in construction engineering is to improve soil properties such as aggregate stability, strength, and erosion resistance. Conventional soil treatment materials have several shortcomings, especially from an environmental standpoint. As a result, a suitable eco-friendly replacement for conventional materials is required. Xanthan gum is a polysaccharide commonly used as a food additive and rheology modifier. It has been used as a soil improvement material in the present study and experimental tests were performed with different types of soils. The results show that the Xanthan gum fibers interact directly with the charged surfaces of clayey particles while forming Xanthan matrices that resemble a hard plastic between uncharged particles. Consequently, the strengthening effect of Xanthan gum was shown to have the greatest efficiency with well graded soils with fine particles. Through experiments with varying concentrations of Xanthan gum, it was found that the strengthening effect leveled off at higher concentrations. The strengthening effect was also shown to be greatly dependent on the hydration level of the soils. Overall, the strengthening effect of Xanthan gum is shown to be dependent on four factors: type of soil, hydration level (e.g., moisture content), Xanthan gum content, and mixing method.

Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Rice Bran Processed by Dry Heating and Extrusion Cooking

Rice bran was stabilized by dry heat and extrusion cooking method. Physico-chemical, functional, and storage characteristics of stabilized rice bran were evaluated. The rice bran stabilization affected its crude fat and crude ash contents significantly, whereas the other constituents remained almost unchanged. The content of reducing, nonreducing, and total sugars remained unaffected and did not differ significantly from raw rice bran. The neutral detergent fiber (NDF) contents of raw and dry-heat treated rice bran did not differ significantly. However, after extrusion stabilization, the NDF increased significantly. Similar effects were observed in composition of gum fiber and total fiber. The stabilization of rice bran had a significant reduction in lysine and phytic acid content. Bulk density and water absorption were higher in extruded stabilized rice bran than dry-heat treated bran. Protein solubility was maximum in raw bran, whereas damaged starch content was higher in stabilized bran. Color of the extruded bran was dark brown, whereas that of dry-heat stabilized was light brown. It was observed that dry-heat treated bran was stored up to 30 days, whereas extruded bran was stored up to 60 days without any changes in the free fatty acid content.

1020 頭部動作を用いた 2 値操縦機構による電動車椅子の走行特性

Most of electric wheelchair employs various type of control rod as the driving device. On the other hand, different kinds of them have been developed as suitable as each user has needed. We propose the bi-state operating controller using the motion of operator's head, which was detected by three couples of photo sensors. The reference signal for the direction control was directly generated by using head motion. In addition of information on it, we employed the special signal to decide the operating command. That signal informed the state on decision-making of operator to the logic circuits, and was generated by the signal of the silicon gum fiber which was bit by the operator. The adjusting condition of new type of driving device was described in this report.

POEM: High fibre and guar gum are equally helpful in IBS, but gum is better tolerated

POEM: High fibre and guar gum are equally helpful in IBS, but gum is better tolerated

Butyric acid modulates activities of intestinal and renal disaccharidases in experimentally induced diabetic rats.

To elucidate the effect of feeding of butyric acid on disaccharidase activities, the specific activities of the disaccharidases were measured in the intestinal mucosa and kidney cortex of control and diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in rats using streptozotocin. Rats were fed with basal diet containing wheat bran (5%) as a source of insoluble dietary fiber and guar gum (2.5%) as a source of soluble dietary fiber. The experimental group received butyric acid at 250, 500 and 750 mg/kg body weight/day. Increased activities of intestinal maltase, sucrase and lactase in diabetic rats were significantly reduced in fiber-fed diabetic group. Supplementation of butyric acid at 500 mg/kg body weight/day showed a further decrease in their activities. The activity of disaccharidases in renal tissue was decreased in diabetic rats and was significantly improved in fiber-fed diabetic group. Butyric acid feeding at 500 mg/kg body weight/day showed further improvement in their activities.

In vitro effect of fenugreek extracts on intestinal sodium-dependent glucose uptake and hepatic glycogen phosphorylase A.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L. seed) is a food with traditional medicinal use in diabetes. Beneficial effects have been demonstrated in diabetic animals and both insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent diabetic subjects. Effects of a lipid extract A, crude ethanolic extract B, further sub-fractions of B (saponin-free C, saponin D and sapogenin E) and a gum fibre fraction F on intestinal sodium-dependent glucose uptake were investigated in vitro using rabbit intestinal brush border membrane vesicles. All fractions except A inhibited glucose-uptake at 0.33 and/or 3.3mg/mL (p < 0.001). Greatest inhibition was observed with fractions D and E. Diosgenin and trigonelline (compounds reported in fenugreek)also inhibited glucose-uptake (50C values approximately 3mg/ ml, equivalent to 8mM and 19mM respectively) but did not account for the activity of the crude extracts. Fenugreek extracts had no effect on basal levels of glycogen phosphorylase a (HGPa) activity in rat hepatocyte suspensions. However fractions C and E caused a marginal but statistically significant inhibition (18.9 and 15.1% respectively, p < 0.05) of glucagon induction of this enzyme suggesting a glucagon-antagonist effect. Diosgenin (1.65mg/ml; 4mM) inhibited glucagon-induced HGPa activity by 20% (p < 0.05), and was more effective than trigonelline (non significant inhibition of 9.4% at 1.65mg/ml, 10mM).

Medium Density Fibreboard Manufactured from Blends of White Cypress Pine and Non-Durable Wood Species Shows Increased Resistance to Attack by the Subterranean Termite C. lacteus

Summary Medium density fibreboards consisting of blends of the naturally durable wood species white cypress pine (Callitris glaucophylla) and non-durable wood species were manufactured in a commercial plant and subjected to a bioassay using the subterranean termite species, Coptotermes lacteus. A board composed of 30% cypress pine, 30% slash pine (Pinus elliottii) and 40% of the naturally durable hardwood species spotted gum (Corymbia maculata) was also manufactured and bioassayed against C. lacteus. The aims were to determine (i) whether boards containing cypress pine possessed increased resistance to termite attack compared to a control manufactured entirely from non-durable wood species; (ii) the relationship between the cypress pine content of boards and their resistance (if any) to termite attack; (iii) whether the termite resistance of boards containing cypress pine could be further enhanced by the addition of spotted gum fibre. There was an inverse relationship between the cypress pine content of MDF specimens and mass losses of the specimens during the bioassay; the percentage mass losses of specimens containing 11.4, 16.2 and 34.2% cypress pine being 20.3, 13.4 and 8.8%, respectively, compared to 32.8% for the control, which consisted of non-durable slash pine (80%) and hoop pine (Araucaria cunninghamii) (20%) fibre. There was strong evidence that the inverse relationship between the cypress pine content of boards and mass losses during the bioassay was linear, although a statistically significant quadratic (curvilinear) effect was also apparent. The addition of spotted gum fibre to boards did not increase their resistance to termite attack. Cypress pine heartwood contains a variety of extractives that are either toxic or repellent to termites, and the increased termite resistance of MDF containing cypress pine compared to the control is probably due to the insecticidal effect of such chemicals on C. lacteus. The incorporation of cypress pine fibre into MDF shows promise as an alternative to chemical biocides for increasing the resistance of MDF to termites. However, the response of termites to heartwood extractives varies between species, and therefore further experimentation is needed to test the resistance of MDF containing cypress pine fibre to attack by greater range of wood destroying termites under test conditions that more closely simulate field conditions.

Effect of dietary fibre on intestinal and renal disaccharidases in diabetic rats

Diabetes was induced in rats with streptozotocin. They were fed either with wheat bran as a source of insoluble dietary fibre or guar gum as soluble dietary fibre. The effect of these fibres on intestinal and renal disaccharidases in diabetic rats was studied. Activities of intestinal maltase, sucrase and lactase increased during diabetes, which was ameliorated to a considerable extent in fibre fed groups. The activities of disaccharidases in renal tissue was decreased in diabetic rats and there was an improvement in fibre fed group.

Effect of dietary fiber on bowel mucosal integrity and bacterial translocation in burned rats.

The response of the bowel mucosa to enteral formula supplemented with dietary fiber was examined in rats with 30% full-thickness burns. The rats were fed a standard enteral formula without fiber or with one of two types of fiber (insoluble soy fiber or soluble guar gum fiber). Seventy-two hours after burn injury, the mesenteric lymph nodes were excised aseptically for bacterial culturing. Samples of the jejunum, ileum and cecum were also collected for histological examination. There were significantly fewer bacterial colonies in the lymph node cultures from rats given soy fiber compared to those from rats fed no fiber. In rats given soy fiber, the integrity of the bowel mucosa was maintained in the jejunum, ileum and cecum. In rats given guar gum fiber, however, the repair of mucosal erosions was observed in the jejunum and ileum as well as flattening of the cecal mucosa. These findings indicate that soy fiber is superior to guar gum fiber for maintaining bowel mucosal integrity and preventing bacterial translocation in burned rats receiving enteral feeding.