Dietary Pectin's Effect on Starch Utilization in Rats

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Abstract
Dietary pectin's effects on intestinal 14C-starch absorption, oxidation to 14CO2 and intestinal weight were studied. Rats were adapted to either a 5% pectin diet or a control diet for 10 or more days before test meals of the same composition but containing 14C-starch were fed. One hour after the test meal, more 14C label remained in the stomach as well as the entire gastrointestinal tract of pectin-fed rats. Also, less 14C had reached the distal quarter of the small intestine at one hour. Rats eating the 5% pectin diet had higher wet and dry weights of the small intestine. A separate group of pectin-fed rats exhaled more 14CO2 than controls during the first hour after the test meal. Amount of 14C in the gastrointestinal tract and exhalation of 14CO2 did not differ between diet groups at 2, 3, or 4 hours after the test meal. Results indicate that dietary pectin caused a decrease in starch absorption during the first hour after the meal and it led to an increase in small intestinal weight. Dietary pectin also resulted in a higher percentage of ingested 14C appearing as 14CO2 during the first hour after the test meal.