Composition for improving intestinal environment using blautia bacterium

Abstract

To provide a microbial cell material having excellent properties.SOLUTION: The composition for improving the intestinal environment comprises heat-treated bacterial cells of a bacterium of the genus Blautia and a hardly digestible carbohydrate as active ingredients. The present invention also provides a composition for promoting intestinal short chain fatty acid production, comprising heat-treated bacterial cells of a bacterium of the genus Blautia and an indigestible carbohydrate as active ingredients. The present invention also provides a composition for promoting intestinal IgA production, comprising heat-treated bacterial cells of a bacterium of the genus Blautia and an indigestible carbohydrate as active ingredients.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the use of bacteria of the genus Blautia, and more particularly to the use of bacteria for improving the intestinal environment. [Background technology]

[0002] Lactic acid bacteria supplements are used to enhance the body's immunity and maintain health. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a preparation of lactic acid bacteria that can be used as such lactic acid bacteria, which are microparticulated into nano-sized particles.

[0003] Meanwhile, recent data analysis of humans has revealed that Blautia bacteria, a type of intestinal bacteria, are inversely correlated with BMI and diabetes risk (see Non-Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4621218 [Non-patent literature]

[0005] [Non-Patent Document 1] Koji Hosomi1 et al., “Oral administration of Blautia wexlerae meliorates obesity and type 2 diabetes via etabolic remodeling of the gut microbiota” Nature Communications | (2022) 13:4477 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Hitherto, there has been little research into the use of bacteria of the genus Blautia.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a microbial cell material having excellent properties by utilizing a bacterium of the genus Blautia. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] As a result of various studies conducted to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present inventors discovered that the combined use of heat-treated Blautia bacteria and indigestible carbohydrates enhances the functionality of improving the intestinal environment, and thus completed the present invention.

[0009] That is, the present invention provides a composition for improving the intestinal environment, which contains heat-treated cells of a bacterium of the genus Blautia and a non-digestible carbohydrate as active ingredients.

[0010] The present invention also provides a composition for promoting intestinal short-chain fatty acid production, which comprises heat-treated cells of a bacterium belonging to the genus Blautia and a non-digestible carbohydrate as active ingredients.

[0011] The present invention also provides a composition for promoting intestinal IgA production, which comprises heat-treated cells of a bacterium of the genus Blautia and a non-digestible carbohydrate as active ingredients.

[0012] In the composition for improving the intestinal environment, the composition for promoting intestinal short-chain fatty acid production, or the composition for promoting intestinal IgA production according to the present invention, the heat-treated cells of the Blautia bacterium are preferably obtained by heat treatment under acidic conditions.

[0013] In the composition for improving the intestinal environment, the composition for promoting intestinal short-chain fatty acid production, or the composition for promoting intestinal IgA production according to the present invention, the heat-treated cells of the Blautia bacterium are preferably obtained by heat treatment under conditions of pH 3.0 to 7.0 and a temperature of 70 to 121°C.

[0014] In the composition for improving the intestinal environment, the composition for promoting intestinal short-chain fatty acid production, or the composition for promoting intestinal IgA production according to the present invention, it is preferable that the indigestible carbohydrates include one or more selected from the group consisting of galactooligosaccharides, guar gum, inulin, and indigestible dextrin.

[0015] In the composition for improving the intestinal environment, the composition for promoting intestinal short-chain fatty acid production, or the composition for promoting intestinal IgA production according to the present invention, the indigestible carbohydrate preferably contains allulose. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, a microbial cell material having excellent properties can be provided by utilizing bacteria of the genus Blautia. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a graph showing the results of an investigation into the effects of adding Blautia bacteria (unheated or heat-treated bacteria) to feed and allowing BALB / c mice to freely ingest the feed in Test Example 1, and also shows the results of an investigation into fecal IgA concentrations. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a graph showing the results of an investigation into the effects of adding Blautia bacteria (unheated or heat-treated bacteria) to feed and allowing BALB / c mice to freely ingest the feed in Test Example 1, and also shows the results of an investigation into the concentration of short-chain fatty acids in the cecal contents. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a graph showing the results of an investigation into the effects of adding Blautia bacteria (heat-treated bacteria) and / or galactooligosaccharides to feed and allowing BALB / c mice to freely ingest the feed in Test Example 2, and also shows the results of an investigation into fecal IgA concentrations. [Figure 4]FIG. 1 is a graph showing the results of an investigation into the effects of adding Blautia bacteria (heat-treated bacteria) and / or galactooligosaccharides to feed and allowing BALB / c mice to freely ingest the feed in Test Example 2, and also shows the results of an investigation into the concentration of short-chain fatty acids in the cecal contents. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a graph showing the results of an investigation into the effects of feeding BALB / c mice ad libitum with Blautia bacteria (heat-treated bacteria) and various indigestible carbohydrates in Test Example 3, and also shows the results of an investigation into the fecal butyric acid concentration. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a graph showing the results of an investigation into the effects of feeding BALB / c mice ad libitum with Blautia bacteria (heat-treated bacterial cells) and various indigestible carbohydrates in Test Example 3, and also shows the results of an investigation into the butyric acid concentration in the cecal contents. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] As used herein, the term "bacteria of the genus Blautia" refers to bacteria belonging to the genus Blautia, which is classified into the phylum Firmicutes. Specific examples include Blautia caecimuris, Blautia glucerasea, Blautia coccoides, Blautia schinkii, Blautia stercoris, Blautia hydrogenotrophica, Blautia faecis, Blautia producta, Blautia hansenii, Blautia luti, Blautia wexlerae, etc. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0019] Although not limited to, a preferred example of a bacterium belonging to the genus Blautia is Blautia producta. Preferred examples of Blautia product include the Blautia RD014892 strain (accession number: NITE BP-03954), which is deposited at the National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NPMD) Patent Microorganisms Depositary, and bacteria substantially identical thereto. Here, "substantially identical" bacteria has the same meaning as understood by those skilled in the art, and refers, for example, to a bacterium whose 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence, used to identify the genus and species of the bacterium, has 98% or more, preferably 99% or more, homology with the 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence of the Blautia RD014892 strain, and which also has the same bacteriologic properties as the Blautia RD014892 strain.

[0020] Cultivation and maintenance of Blautia bacteria can be carried out by well-known means. Examples of suitable culture media include liquid media containing yeast extract, peptone, meat extract, amino acids, salts, minerals, etc. Commercially available media such as "Modified GAM" (trade name: Modified GAM Bouillon, Nissui Co., Ltd.) may also be used. Culture can be carried out by inoculating the cells into the medium and then culturing them statically or by culturing them with aeration and agitation at temperatures ranging from 25 to 40°C. For short-term storage, live cells can be refrigerated while suspended in the medium, or frozen for long-term storage after suspending them in an antifreeze solution such as glycerol.

[0021] When preparing bacteria of the genus Blautia, a bacterial cell concentrate can be prepared by directly concentrating the culture solution after cultivation, or by collecting the bacteria by means of centrifugation, filtration, or the like, washing the bacteria with purified water, etc., and suspending them in purified water, etc., to a predetermined bacterial cell concentration. The content of bacteria of the genus Blautia per 100 parts by mass of the bacterial cell concentrate may be in the range of 0.1 to 50 parts by mass, 0.5 to 25 parts by mass, or 1 to 10 parts by mass, calculated as dry bacteria. This bacterial cell concentrate may contain an excipient. This allows the properties of the bacteria to be more easily maintained after reconstitution with water, even after freezing or lyophilization.

[0022] The excipient is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include sugar alcohols such as dextrin, maltodextrin, cyclodextrin, xanthan gum, xylitol, sorbitol, maltitol, mannitol, and lactitol; sugars such as glucose, sucrose, fructose, lactose, dextrose, and milk sugar; and organic acids such as adipic acid, citric acid, glutaric acid, succinic acid, tartaric acid, fumaric acid, and malic acid.

[0023] In another embodiment, the preparation of Blautia bacteria may involve pulverization and dispersion. The pulverization and dispersion can be carried out, for example, by pulverizing and dispersing the above-described bacterial cell concentrate using means such as stirring, a mixer, a homogenizer, a ball mill, a bead mill, a jet mill, or a generator. In this case, depending on the case or need, the above-described excipient may be added prior to the pulverization and dispersion to prevent reagglomeration of the resulting bacterial powder. When an excipient is contained, its content may be in the range of 1 to 99% by mass, 10 to 95% by mass, or 20 to 90% by mass, calculated on a dry matter basis.

[0024] In yet another embodiment, when preparing Blautia bacteria, they may be subjected to a dry powder treatment. Examples of the dry powder treatment method include freeze drying, reduced pressure spray drying, spray drying using hot air, etc. Note that by performing dry powder treatment such as spray drying using hot air, heat-treated bacterial cells can be obtained in which the activity of live bacteria has been destroyed.

[0025] The present invention provides heat-treated Blautia bacteria, among those that can be prepared as described above. That is, after culturing under specified conditions, the culture medium or a liquid containing at least the cultured bacteria is subjected to heat treatment, and the heat-treated bacteria can then be recovered by centrifugation, filtration, or other means. Heat treatment typically destroys the activity of live bacteria, thereby suppressing quality changes associated with live bacteria. Furthermore, as shown in the examples below, heat-treated Blautia bacteria are more effective at improving the intestinal environment than non-heat-treated bacteria.

[0026] Heat treatment of Blautia bacteria can be carried out by subjecting the culture solution after cultivation directly, or, if necessary, after preparing the culture solution into the above-mentioned bacterial cell concentrate, for example, in a jacketed tank, a thermostatic bath, or an autoclave. The pH is not limited, but may be, for example, 3.0 to 7.0, 3.0 to 6.0, or 3.0 to 5.0. The temperature conditions for the heat treatment are not limited, but may be, for example, 70 to 121°C, 80 to 110°C, or 80 to 100°C. The heat treatment time is not limited, but may be, for example, 30 to 120 hours, 30 to 90 minutes, or 30 to 60 minutes. Insufficient heat treatment under these conditions is undesirable because it tends to result in a loss of desired functionality.

[0027] Although not limited thereto, the heat treatment may be followed by a process of drying and powdering, and examples of the drying and powdering method include, as described above, freeze drying, reduced pressure spray drying, spray drying using hot air, etc. Alternatively, although not limited thereto, after the heat treatment, the treated solution may be subjected to a means such as centrifugation or filtration, and the supernatant removed, and the bacterial cells may be recovered and used.

[0028] Meanwhile, the term "indigestible carbohydrates" as used herein has the same meaning as that generally understood by those skilled in the art, specifically including indigestible oligosaccharides, dietary fiber, indigestible sugars, and the like.

[0029] The indigestible oligosaccharide is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include galactooligosaccharide, fructooligosaccharide, soybean oligosaccharide, raffinose, isomaltooligosaccharide, etc. Galactooligosaccharide is particularly preferred.

[0030] The dietary fiber is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include high-amylose cornstarch, chitin, glucomannan, alginic acid, β-glucan, inulin, indigestible dextrin, resistant starch, kestose, carrageenan, fucoidan, guar gum, xanthan gum, gellan gum, pectin, sodium alginate, crystalline cellulose, etc. Particularly preferred are guar gum, inulin, and indigestible dextrin.

[0031] Examples of dietary fiber that can be used include commercially available products such as J-Oil Mills' "Amylo Fiber SH," Ingredion's "Hi-Maize 1043," Nihon Shokuhin Kako's "Roadstar," Sanwa Starch's "Amylogel HB-450," and Matsutani Chemical Industry's "Pine Fiber." Alternatively, as disclosed in, for example, JP-A-10-195104 and WO 2008 / 155892, starch raw materials may be subjected to heat treatment or other methods to increase the dietary fiber content. The dietary fiber content is preferably 40% by mass or more, more preferably 50% by mass or more, and even more preferably 60% by mass or more. The dietary fiber content can be measured by the "enzyme-gravimetric method" or "enzyme-HPLC method" described in the Food Labeling Act.

[0032] The indigestible carbohydrate is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include allulose, allose, xylitol, erythritol, etc. Allulose is particularly preferred.

[0033] The indigestible carbohydrates may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0034] The composition of the present invention is intended to improve the intestinal environment of a human or non-human animal, promote the production of short-chain fatty acids in the intestine, and promote the production of IgA in the intestine by administering heat-treated cells of Blautia bacteria and indigestible carbohydrates to the human or non-human animal.

[0035] Here, "improving the intestinal environment" has the same meaning as that generally understood by those skilled in the art. Specifically, it means maintaining normal intestinal function, which contributes to maintaining the health of humans or animals. More specifically, it means increasing so-called beneficial intestinal bacteria such as lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria in the intestine, enhancing the digestion and absorption of ingested food by intestinal bacteria, and generating energy through the metabolism of intestinal bacteria. Therefore, "improvement" also means increasing or enhancing the effect compared to when the drug is not administered.

[0036] Furthermore, the phrase "promoting the production of short-chain fatty acids in the intestine" has the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art. Specifically, it refers to increasing short-chain fatty acids such as butyric acid and acetic acid in the intestine that contribute to maintaining human health and utilizing them as an energy source for intestinal epithelial cells, which is expected to maintain and promote intestinal peristalsis, promote mucin secretion to maintain the intestinal barrier, promote water absorption, and maintain cognitive function through gut-brain interaction. Therefore, "promoting" also refers to enhancing or improving the effect compared to when the compound is not administered. Specific examples of short-chain fatty acids in the intestine include acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, isobutyric acid, valeric acid, isovaleric acid, caproic acid, lactic acid, succinic acid, etc. It is believed that, without limitation, the promotion of acetic acid, propionic acid, and / or butyric acid production by the bacterial flora in the large intestine will increase the concentrations of acetic acid, propionic acid, and / or butyric acid.

[0037] Furthermore, "promoting IgA production in the intestine" has the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art. Specifically, it means increasing the amount of IgA secreted from the intestinal tract in the intestine, which is expected to maintain and promote intestinal immunity, and ultimately to maintain the intestinal environment and the body's immune function by eliminating pathogens. Therefore, "promoting" also means increasing or improving the effect compared to when the drug is not administered.

[0038] Based on the above, more specifically, the present invention provides a composition for improving the intestinal environment, a composition for promoting intestinal short-chain fatty acid production, or a composition for promoting intestinal IgA production, which contains heat-treated cells of Blautia bacteria and indigestible carbohydrates as active ingredients.

[0039] In the present invention, the active ingredients, heat-treated cells of Blautia bacteria and the indigestible carbohydrate, are preferably administered orally, for example. This allows the orally ingested active ingredients to act in the intestinal tract, thereby achieving the effects of the present invention. Furthermore, the indigestible oligosaccharides and dietary fiber exemplified above effectively serve as nutrient sources for intestinal bacteria in the intestine, and thus, in combination with the effects of the heat-treated cells of Blautia bacteria, are highly effective in improving the intestinal environment, such as promoting the production of short-chain fatty acids and IgA in the intestine. In addition, in the present invention, the active ingredients, heat-treated cells of Blautia bacteria and the indigestible carbohydrate, may be provided in the form of a composition containing them as a single agent. Alternatively, in order to mix them at the time of use or administer them to humans or non-human animals as separate agents, the heat-treated cells of Blautia bacteria and the indigestible carbohydrate may be provided in the form of a composition containing them separately.

[0040] In this specification, the phrase "containing heat-treated cells of a bacterium of the genus Blautia and indigestible carbohydrates as active ingredients" means that the heat-treated cells of a bacterium of the genus Blautia and / or the indigestible carbohydrates are contained in the composition as one agent, or in the composition as a separate agent, and includes both forms.

[0041] The intestinal environment-improving composition, intestinal short-chain fatty acid production-promoting composition, or intestinal IgA production-promoting composition according to the present invention can be used in various product forms, such as food and beverages, functional foods, pharmaceuticals, and animal feed, as desired. That is, heat-treated Blautia bacteria and indigestible carbohydrates may be used alone or in combination with other raw materials to produce various product forms, such as food and beverages, functional foods, pharmaceuticals, and animal feed. When other raw materials are combined, examples of such raw materials include various carbohydrates, emulsifiers, sweeteners, acidulants, fruit juice, and flavors. More specific examples include sugars such as glucose, sucrose, fructose, and honey; sugar alcohols such as sorbitol, xylitol, erythritol, lactitol, and palatinit; and emulsifiers such as sucrose fatty acid esters, glycerin sugar fatty acid esters, and lecithin. Other examples include various vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E; herb extracts; grain ingredients; vegetable ingredients; and dairy ingredients.

[0042] There are no particular limitations on the type of food or beverage to be blended, and it can be blended into, for example, liquid (fluid) foods such as coffee, fruit juice, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages such as beer, milk, miso soup, soup, black tea, green tea, powdered drinks, nutritional supplements, syrup, margarine, paste, jam, etc., solid foods such as cooked rice, bread, potato products, mochi, furikake (seasoning), ham, sausage, candy, chocolate, chewing gum, gummy candy, snacks, baked goods, etc., as well as staple foods, side dishes, and seasonings for these foods and beverages. Depending on the application, the food or beverage may be formed into powder, granules, tablets, etc., and may also be blended with excipients, bulking agents, binders, thickeners, emulsifiers, coloring agents, flavorings, food additives, seasonings, etc. as needed.

[0043] In addition to foods for human consumption, when heat-treated cells of Blautia bacteria are mixed into feed and administered to animals such as livestock and pets, they can be mixed into the raw materials of the feed in advance to prepare functional feed. That is, heat-treated cells of Blautia bacteria can be used as an active ingredient in functional feed by adding them to feed for livestock such as pigs, chickens, cattle, horses, and sheep, pets (dogs, cats, and birds), and farmed fish such as sea bream, yellowtail, tuna, eel, and pufferfish.

[0044] Examples of functional foods include supplements, health drinks, health foods, nutritional supplements, health functional foods, nutritional functional foods, foods for specified health uses, foods with functional claims, food additive materials, etc. The product form of these products is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, tablets, capsules, granules, powders, beverages, etc.

[0045] As a pharmaceutical product, it can be appropriately combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable base material or the like to form a pharmaceutical preparation, such as a tablet, chewable tablet, capsule, granule, powder, pill, syrup, tincture, decoction, or liquid.

[0046] The heat-treated cells of Blautia bacteria provided by the present invention can be made into various forms as microbial cell materials or functional materials. In such cases, other microbial cell materials can be contained in addition to the Blautia bacteria. Examples of other components include microbial cell materials from the genera Lactobacillus, Lacticaseibacillus, Lactiprantibacillus, Lactococcus, Bifidobacterium, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Akkermansia, Christensenella, Clostridium, Bacteroides, Bacillus, Paraprevotella, Faecalibacterium, Retactobacillus, Eubacterium, and Veillonella, preferably heat-treated microbial cell materials thereof.

[0047] In the composition of the present invention, the contents of heat-treated cells of Blautia bacteria and non-digestible carbohydrates may be appropriately determined in various forms, taking into consideration the relationship between the amount used in that form and the effective amount for exerting functionality. Typically, for example, in the case of a composition containing heat-treated cells of Blautia bacteria and non-digestible carbohydrates as a single agent, the content of heat-treated cells of Blautia bacteria, calculated as dry matter, may be in the range of 0.001 to 99.9% by mass, 0.1 to 50% by mass, or 10 to 30% by mass. Furthermore, the content calculated as the number of cells may be 2.0 x 10 7 ~2.0×10 12 The range may be 2.0 x 10 7 ~1.0×10 12 The range may be 2.0 x 10 7 ~2.0×10 11 The content of the indigestible carbohydrates in terms of dry matter may be in the range of 0.1 to 99.999% by mass, 1 to 50% by mass, or 10 to 30% by mass.

[0048] The dosage of the composition of the present invention may be appropriately determined depending on the subject's health condition, age, or the level of functionality required. Typically, the intake amount of heat-treated bacteria of the genus Blautia, calculated as dry matter, may be in the range of 0.0005 mg to 500 mg / day / kg body weight, 0.005 mg to 50 mg / day / kg body weight, or 0.05 mg to 5 mg / day / kg body weight. Furthermore, the content converted to the number of bacteria is 1.0 × 10 6 ~1.0×10 12 The range may be 1.0 x 10 7 ~1.0×10 11 The range may be 1.0 x 10 8 ~1.0×10 10The intake amount of indigestible carbohydrates may be in the range of 1 to 1000 mg / day / kg body weight, 5 to 500 mg / day / kg body weight, or 10 to 300 mg / day / kg body weight in terms of dry matter. [Example]

[0049] The present invention will be explained in more detail below by way of examples, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope of these examples.

[0050] [Sample preparation] Blautia RD014892 strain (accession number: NITE BP-03954) was used as a Blautia bacterium and cultured in MRS medium at 37°C under an anaerobic environment for 24 hours. The culture was centrifuged at 8000 × g for 10 minutes, the supernatant was removed, and distilled water was added to suspend the cells. This was used as a non-heat-treated sample (hereinafter referred to as "Blautia bacteria (unheat-treated)"). The same culture was adjusted to pH 4.0 by adding acetic acid and then heat-treated at 80°C for 30 minutes. The cells were then collected and suspended in distilled water in the same manner. This was used as a heat-treated sample (hereinafter referred to as "Blautia bacteria (heat-treated)").

[0051] [Test Example 1] (method) After acclimatizing BALB / c mice for one week, they were allowed to freely consume purified feed (AIN-93G) containing each sample at the dose shown in the table below for one week. After that, the mice were euthanized, and feces were collected from the colon and IgA was measured using ELISA, and the concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid) in the cecal contents were measured.

[0052] [Table 1]

[0053] (evaluation) ·Fecal IgA concentration As shown in FIG. 1, an increase in IgA was observed in the group administered with Blautia bacteria (heat-treated) compared with the control group and the group administered with Blautia bacteria (non-heat-treated).

[0054] ·Cecal contents medium short chain fatty acid concentration As shown in Figure 2, the group administered Blautia bacteria (heat-treated) showed an increase in acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid compared to the control group and the group administered Blautia bacteria (not heat-treated).

[0055] From the above, it was revealed that heat treatment of Blautia bacteria can enhance their functionality in improving the intestinal environment.

[0056] [Test Example 2] (method) After acclimatizing BALB / c mice for one week, they were allowed to freely consume purified feed (AIN-93G) containing each sample at the dose shown in the table below for one week. After that, the mice were euthanized, and feces were collected from the colon and IgA was measured using ELISA, and the concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid) in the cecal contents were measured.

[0057] [Table 2]

[0058] (evaluation) ·Fecal IgA concentration As shown in Figure 3, an increase in IgA was observed in the groups administered Blautia (heat-treated) or galactooligosaccharides alone compared to the control group. The increase in IgA was even more pronounced in the group administered the combination of Blautia (heat-treated) and galactooligosaccharides.

[0059] ·Cecal contents medium short chain fatty acid concentration As shown in Figure 4, in this test example, the groups administered Blautia (heat-treated) or galactooligosaccharides alone did not show a significant increase in short-chain fatty acids (acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid) compared to the control group. In contrast, in the group administered a combination of Blautia (heat-treated) and galactooligosaccharides, an increase in short-chain fatty acids (acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid) was observed, with particularly significant increases in propionic acid and butyric acid.

[0060] From the above, it was revealed that the combined use of heat-treated Blautia bacteria and galactooligosaccharides further enhances the functionality of improving the intestinal environment compared to administering either agent alone.

[0061] [Test Example 3] (method) After acclimatizing BALB / c mice for one week, they were given a purified diet (AIN-93G) containing the samples at the doses shown in the table below ad libitum for one week. After that, the mice were euthanized, and feces in the colon and cecal contents were collected, and butyric acid concentrations were measured.

[0062] [Table 3]

[0063] (evaluation) Fecal butyric acid concentration As shown in FIG. 5, an increase in fecal butyric acid was observed in the group administered a combination of Blautia bacteria (heat-treated) and indigestible carbohydrates (galactooligosaccharide, guar gum, inulin, or allulose).

[0064] - Butyric acid concentration in cecal contents As shown in FIG. 6, an increase in butyric acid in the cecal contents was observed in the group administered a combination of Blautia bacteria (heat-treated) and indigestible carbohydrates (galactooligosaccharide, guar gum, inulin, or allulose).

[0065] From the above, it was revealed that the combined use of heat-treated Blautia bacteria and various types of indigestible carbohydrates can enhance the functionality of improving the intestinal environment.

Claims

1. A composition for improving the intestinal environment, comprising heat-treated cells of Blautia bacteria and indigestible carbohydrates as active ingredients.

2. A composition for promoting intestinal short-chain fatty acid production, comprising heat-treated cells of Blautia bacteria and indigestible carbohydrates as active ingredients.

3. A composition for promoting intestinal IgA production, comprising heat-treated cells of Blautia bacteria and indigestible carbohydrates as active ingredients.

4. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the heat-treated cells of the bacterium of the genus Blautia are obtained by heat treatment under acidic conditions.

5. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the heat-treated cells of the Blautia bacterium are obtained by heat treatment under conditions of pH 3.0 to 7.0 and a temperature of 70 to 121°C.

6. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the indigestible carbohydrate comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of galactooligosaccharides, guar gum, inulin, and indigestible dextrin.

7. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the non-digestible carbohydrate comprises allulose.

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