Composition of soluble indigestible fibers and of eukaryotic organisms with a polysaccharide wall, used in the well-being field

Abstract

The invention relates to the use of branched maltodextrins for inducing lysis of the cell walls of eukaryotic organisms having a polysaccharide wall in the lumen of the intestine of an omnivorous or carnivorous animal comprising an intestinal flora and also for synergistically increasing the effect of the branched maltodextrins in the induction of the growth of the intestinal flora of an omnivorous or carnivorous animal. The invention also relates to the composition intended for this use and to a method for improving health or for food supplementation.

Claims

1. A composition comprising: one or more unicellular eukaryotic organisms with a polysaccharide wall, said eukaryotic organisms being either (i) microalgae selected from the group consisting of: Chlorella, Scenedesmus, Dunaliella, Haematococcus, Schizochytrium, and combinations thereof, or (ii) yeasts selected from the group consisting of Saccharomyces boulardii, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pichia; and one or more branched maltodextrins, said branched maltodextrins having: between 22% and 45% of 1,6-glucosidic linkages, a reducing sugar content of between 2% and 20%, a polydispersity index of between 0.5 and 4, and a number-average molecular mass Mn of between 600 and 4000 g/mol, wherein the composition comprises a ratio by weight of eukaryotic organisms with a polysaccharide wall/branched maltodextrins ranging from 5/95 to 90/10.

2. The composition as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a compound selected from the group consisting of dextrins, galactooligosaccharides (GOSs), fructooligosaccharides (FOSs), oleaginous or proteaginous oligosaccharides, fructan, inulin, polydextrose, glucooligosaccharides, lactosucrose and mixtures thereof.

3. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the composition is in a form selected from the group consisting of solid forms, in the form of a powder, a tablet or a suppository, or liquid forms, in the form of an emulsion and a syrup.

4. The composition as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one active agent or one nutrient intended for the prevention and/or treatment of intestinal syndromes selected from the group consisting of irritable bowel syndrome, traveler's diarrhea, intestinal inflammations, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, intestinal cancers, diet-related diseases, prevention of age-related diseases, food supplementation, induction of the intestinal flora, increasing the resistance to physical exertion, improving the digestibility of nutrients of plant origin, and obtaining a protective effect on the intestinal health of an omnivorous or carnivorous animal.

5. A composition comprising: a unicellular eukaryotic organism with a polysaccharide wall selected from the group consisting of Chlorella vulgaris, Saccaromyces cerevisiae and a combination thereof, one or more branched maltodextrins, said branched maltodextrins having: between 22% and 45% of 1,6-glucosidic linkages, a reducing sugar content of between 2% and 20%, a polydispersity index of between 0.5 and 4, and a number-average molecular mass Mn of between 600 and 4000 g/mol, wherein the wherein the composition comprises a ratio by weight of the eukaryotic organism with a polysaccharide wall/branched maltodextrins ranging from 20/80 to 80/20.

6. The composition according to claim 5, wherein the eukaryotic organism with a polysaccharide wall and branched maltodextrins are 0.5% to 30% by weight of the composition.

7. The composition as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a compound selected from the group consisting of dextrins, galactooligosaccharides (GOSs), fructooligosaccharides (FOSs), oleaginous or proteaginous oligosaccharides, fructan, inulin, polydextrose, glucooligosaccharides, lactosucrose and mixtures thereof.

8. The composition as claimed in claim 5, wherein the composition is in a form selected from the group consisting of solid forms, in the form of a powder, a tablet or a suppository, or liquid forms, in the form of an emulsion and a syrup.

9. The composition as claimed in claim 5, wherein the eukaryotic organism with a polysaccharide wall is Chlorella vulgaris.

10. The composition as claimed in claim 5, wherein the eukaryotic organism with a polysaccharide wall is Saccaromyces cerevisiae.

11. The composition as claimed in claim 7, wherein the compound is polydextrose.

12. The composition as claimed in claim 5, further comprising at least one active agent or one nutrient intended for the prevention and/or treatment of intestinal syndromes selected from the group consisting of irritable bowel syndrome, traveler's diarrhea, intestinal inflammations, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, intestinal cancers, diet-related diseases, prevention of age-related diseases, food supplementation, induction of the intestinal flora, increasing the resistance to physical exertion, improving the digestibility of nutrients of plant origin, and obtaining a protective effect on the intestinal health of an omnivorous or carnivorous animal.

Description

EXAMPLE 1

(1) The effect of various soluble or insoluble fibers on the glucosidase activities of the intestinal flora in laboratory rats is studied. The soluble fibers are branched maltodextrins according to the invention, FOSs and polydextrose, and the insoluble fibers are cellulose fibers.

(2) The branched maltodextrins chosen in this example have between 15% and 35% of 1.fwdarw.6 glucosidic linkages, a reducing sugar content of between 2% and 5%, a polydispersity index of less than 5 and a number-average molecular mass Mn of between 2000 and 3000 g/mol:

(3) TABLE-US-00001 Reducing sugars 2.3 Mn (g/mol) 2480 Mw (g/mol) 5160 1,2-linkage (%) 10 1,3-linkage (%) 12 1,4-linkage (%) 49 1,6-linkage (%) 29

(4) They also have a total fibers content of 90% on a dry basis, determined according to the AOAC method (No. 2001-03).

(5) 40 OFA rats of Sprague Dawley origin are divided up into 4 groups which are fed with a diet of which the details are given in table 1 below.

(6) Group 4 receives a diet supplemented with fructooligosaccharides (FOSs) (Raftilose® P95 sold by the company Orafti).

(7) Groups 5 and 6 receive a diet supplemented, respectively, with polydextrose and cellulose.

(8) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 1 Batch Food and product tested 1 AO4C food 2 AO4C food + 10% glucose 3 AO4C food + 10% branched maltodextrins 4 AO4C food + 10% FOSs 5 AO4C food + 10% polydextrose 6 AO4C food + 10% cellulose

(9) After one week of isolation during which the animals receive a standard diet and drinking water, the rats consume the food for 36 days.

(10) On D.sub.0, the animals are given no food for 24 hours. They are given drink ad libitum. On D.sub.1, the feces are collected.

(11) The diet described in table 2 is given to the animals.

(12) On D.sub.28, the animals are given no food for 24 h. Drink is given ad libitum.

(13) On D.sub.29, the feces are again collected.

(14) On D.sub.26, the animals are sacrificed.

(15) A general macroscopic observation of the organs is performed. The ceca are ligatured and removed. The full ceca, the cecal contents and the empty ceca are weighed.

(16) The enzyme activities of the feces are also evaluated (α-glucosidase and β-glucosidase).

(17) Table 2 gives the enzyme activities of the feces determined, respectively, on D.sub.0 and D.sub.29.

(18) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 2 D.sub.0 D.sub.29 α-glucosidase β-glucosidase α-glucosidase β-glucosidase (Uabs/min/g (Uabs/min/g (Uabs/min/g (Uabs/min/g Batch of feces) of feces) of feces) of feces) 1 3.23 ± 1.17 4.40 ± 2.86  5.62 ± 1.24 6.08 ± 1.39 2 3.19 ± 1.72 3.86 ± 2.03  5.97 ± 2.60 6.74 ± 3.38 3 3.37 ± 1.85 2.55 ± 1.11 23.09 ± 7.29 24.21 ± 9.10  4 3.10 ± 1.37 2.94 ± 1.19 15.32 ± 3.91 9.94 ± 3.05 5 3.15 ± 1.67 2.64 ± 1.10 13.22 ± 4.03 10.02 ± 2.94  6 3.22 ± 1.64 3.55 ± 2.10  6.08 ± 2.02 6.68 ± 2.98

(19) On D.sub.0, the activities of the batches are identical to the control batch 1. On D.sub.29, the glucosidase activities are very greatly increased by the administration of 10% of branched maltodextrins. On the other hand, a smaller increase is observed for the animals receiving 10% of FOSs or of polydextrose. In the case of cellulose, no significant increase is observed.

(20) Specifically, increases of 310% and of 298% are observed for, respectively, α-glucosidase and β-glucosidase of the batch receiving branched maltodextrins compared with the control batch, whereas the increases are, respectively, only 172% and 63% for the FOS batch and 135% and 64% for the polydextrose batch.

(21) The branched maltodextrins have characteristics that are much more advantageous than the FOSs or the polydextrose and allow a much greater induction of the glucosidase activity. On the other hand, the insoluble fibers have, themselves, no effect on the glucosidase activity.

EXAMPLE 2

(22) The metabolism of a microalga, Chlorella, and a fungus, yeast, was studied in rats in comparison with a branched maltodextrin (BMD) and with polydextrose (POLY) for 28 days. The BMD and the polydextrose were identical to those of the previous example. In parallel, the Chlorellae or yeasts were combined with the branched maltodextrin in order to study the effects of the combination of a eukaryotic organism with a polysaccharide wall and of a soluble indigestible fiber.

(23) The products tested are introduced into a standard food for laboratory rats in a proportion of a fixed dose of 5%, alone or as a mixture with another product, according to table 3 given below.

(24) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 3 Batch No. Products tested Batch 1 (control) — Batch 2 (C) 5% of Chlorellae Batch 3 (BMD) 5% of BMD Batch 4 (Y) 5% of yeasts Batch 5 (BMD + C) 5% of BMD + 5% of Chlorellae Batch 6 (BMD + Y) 5% of BMD + 5% of yeasts Batch 7 (POLY) 5% of POLY Batch 8 (POLY + C) 5% of POLY + 5% of Chlorellae Batch 9 (POLY + Y) 5% of POLY + 5% of yeasts

(25) The Chlorella tested is a Chlorella vulgaris. The yeast tested is a Saccaromyces cerevisiae.

(26) After one week of quarantine during which the animals receive a standard diet and drinking water, the rats are randomized on the basis of their weight and assigned to a study batch.

(27) The rats participating in this study are male OFA rats of Sprague-Dawley origin. Their weight is between 100 and 125 g upon reception. They are housed in pairs in Makrolon cages.

(28) During the study, various parameters are evaluated: clinical observation, weight change, food consumption, drink consumption.

(29) On D-1 and D20, the animals are placed individually in a metabolism cage for 24 hours. During this period, they receive no food, but receive drinking water ad libitum.

(30) On D0 and D21, the 24-hour feces are collected. They are weighed wet and immediately frozen at −20° C. They will subsequently be freeze-dried for a period of 48 to 72 hours, weighed dry after freeze-drying, and ground. The various analyses will be carried out within 24 hours on these ground feces.

(31) On D14, feces are collected directly from the anus of the animals. A minimum amount of 3 grams is collected for each animal. These feces are weighed wet and then frozen immediately at −20° C. while awaiting analysis.

(32) On the freeze-dried feces (collected at D-1 and D20), the enzyme activities of the α-glucosidases, β-glucosidases, β-galactosidases, esterases, cellobiohydrolases and β-xylosidases are carried out by means of the spectrophotometric method. The substrates used are, respectively: p-nitrophenyl-α-D-glucopyranoside, p-nitrophenyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, p-nitrophenyl-β-D-galactopyranoside, p-nitrophenyl acetate, p-nitrophenylcellobioside and p-nitro-phenylxylopyranoside. Before quantifying these enzyme activities, the enzymes are extracted by means of a succession of agitation, centrifugation and washing steps. The enzyme activity results are expressed in unit of absorbance per minute (or hour for the cellobiohydrolase and β-xylosidase activities) and per gram of dry feces.

(33) On the frozen feces (collected on D14), the antioxidant activity is determined by the TEAC (Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity) assay method. The objective of this test is to generate a free radical (ABTS•+ which is blue-green in color) from a mixture of a solution of colorless ABTS with potassium persulfate. The discoloring of the free-radical species by the reaction with the antioxidants of the feces tested makes it possible to determine an overall antioxidant capacity. This discoloration is monitored by spectrophotometry. The results are expressed as percentage TEAC inhibition compared with a negative control which does not cause discoloration.

(34) The statistical analysis of the results was carried out by means of a variance homogeneity test (Bartlett's test) followed by an analysis of variance by ANOVA if the result was nonsignificant or a Kruskall and Wallis test and a Mann-Whitney test if the result was significant. The batches were compared with one another and relative to the control batch. Only the following comparisons will be presented: Batch 1 (control) versus all the batches Batch 5 (BMD+C) versus batch 2 (C) Batch 5 (BMD+C) versus batch 3 (BMD) Batch 6 (BMD+Y) versus batch 4 (Y) Batch 6 (BMD+Y) versus batch 3 (BMD) Batch 8 (POLY+C) versus batch 2 (C) Batch 8 (POLY+C) versus batch 7 (POLY) Batch 9 (POLY+Y) versus batch 4 (Y) Batch 9 (POLY+Y) versus batch 7 (POLY).

(35) In the tables, a number is noted: it indicates the batch with respect to which the result is significant. The symbols T, *, **, *** indicate the degree of significance, respectively: tendency, p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.001.

(36) The results show that the weight change, the food consumption and the drink consumption change identically between the batches. No particular clinical observation was observed during the study.

(37) The results of the enzyme activities of the α-glucosidases (α-Glc), β-glucosidases (β-Glc), β-galactosidases (β-Gal), esterases, cellobiohydrolases (CBH) and β-xylosidases (β-Xyl) measured on D0 are summarized in table 4 below:

(38) TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 4 Batch α-Glc β-Glc β-Gal esterases CBH β-Xyl 1 control 6.6 ± 1.4 9.2 ± 2.5 28.2 ± 7.8 121.3 ± 33.0 158.8 ± 78.9 319.9 ± 95.5  2 C 7.7 ± 1.8 9.1 ± 2.9 28.0 ± 7.7 121.6 ± 33.6 127.9 ± 53.9 311.6 ± 61.6  3 BMD 7.1 ± 1.5 9.2 ± 2.8 26.0 ± 7.9 110.9 ± 27.2 156.7 ± 50.4 344.9 ± 122.1 4 Y 7.5 ± 2.0 10.6 ± 4.2  27.7 ± 6.3 114.4 ± 21.2 161.6 ± 69.5 360.6 ± 120.2 5 BMD + C 7.1 ± 1.7 10.4 ± 3.1  26.1 ± 8.4 113.9 ± 22.6  183.3 ± 100.3 398.2 ± 139.6 6 BMD + Y 6.5 ± 0.8 7.6 ± 3.0 23.4 ± 7.9 103.6 ± 28.8  90.9 ± 48.8 250.3 ± 93.4  7 POLY 6.9 ± 1.3 8.7 ± 2.1 25.0 ± 6.2 115.0 ± 35.2 150.0 ± 53.9 302.1 ± 97.7  8 POLY + C 7.2 ± 0.9 9.4 ± 1.3 27.0 ± 7.1 .sup. 121 ± 29.7 141.7 ± 50.9 315.7 ± 101.2 9 POLY + Y 7.4 ± 1.5 9.1 ± 2.3 28.0 ± 7.9 111.3 ± 27.9 125.1 ± 60.7 334.6 ± 115.5

(39) The statistical analysis of these data does not show any significant differences between the batches. At the beginning of the study on D0, the animals of the various batches all have the same baseline in terms of fecal enzyme activities. The results of the enzyme activities of the α-glucosidases (α-Glc), β-glucosidases (β-Glc), β-galactosidases (β-Gal), esterases, cellobiohydrolases (CBH) and β-xylosidases (β-Xyl) measured on D21 are summarized in table 5.

(40) TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 5 Batch α-Glc β-Glc β-Gal esterases CBH β-xyl 1 Control  6.7 ± 1.4  9.3 ± 3.1  27.5 ± 10.4 111.5 ± 24.2 170.2 ± 66.1   332.6 ± 129.2 stat 3***- 3***- 5***- 5***- 3**- 4.sup.T-5**- 4 ***- 4**- 6***- 6***- 4***- 6**- 5***- 5***- 8*** 8*** 5***- 8* 6***- 6***- 6***- 8**- 7*- 7**- 7* 8*** 8** 2 C  6.7 ± 2.4 11.5 ± 4.4 22.7 ± 4.5  99.2 ± 18.8 191.0 ± 66.0  245.5 ± 71.3 stat 5***- 5***- 5***- 5***- 5***- 5***- 8*** 8** 8** 8** 8** 8** 3 BMD 14.4 ± 5.7 22.1 ± 7.2  28.4 ± 10.6 101.6 ± 21.8 544.7 ± 270.3 391.4 ± 98.3 stat 1***- 1***- 5***- 5***- 1**- 5*- 5.sup.T- 5*- 6***- 6***- 5*- 6**- 6** 6**- 8** 8** 6**- 8* 7** 8** 4 Y 11.8 ± 2.3 16.3 ± 3.8 31.4 ± 8.3 123.0 ± 19.4 327.8 ± 78.5   435.2 ± 126.5 stat 1***- 1**- 6*** 6** 1***- 1.sup.T-6* 6*** 6*** 6*** 5 BMD + C 18.9 ± 4.8 31.4 ± 7.1  56.3 ± 11.3 162.9 ± 26.8 792.6 ± 169.4  593.2 ± 226.5 stat 1***- 1***- 1***- 1***- 1***- 1**- 2 ***- 2***- 2***- 2***- 2**- 2***- 3.sup.T- 3*- 3***- 3***- 3*- 3 *- 7* 7*- 7**-8.sup.T 7*** 7* 7* 8* 6 BMD + Y  34.6 ± 14.1  42.9 ± 15.6  56.4 ± 11.5 170.0 ± 26.9 989.3 ± 208.6  647.4 ± 208.9 stat 1***- 1***- 1***- 1***- 1***- 1**- 3**- 3**- 3***- 3***- 3**- 3**- 4***- 4***- 4***- 4**- 4***- 4*-7** 7** 7* 7** 7** 7** 7 POLY  9.2 ± 2.2 14.7 ± 2.7 28.1 ± 7.8 110.9 ± 29.7 321.2 ± 104.7 353.7 ± 57.2 stat 1*- 1*- 5**- 5***- 1**- 5*- 5*- 3**- 6**- 8*- 5*- 6**- 6**- 5*- 8* 6** 6**- 8.sup.T-9.sup.T 9* 6**- 8* 8.sup.T-9.sup.T 8 POLY + C 15.2 ± 3.7 26.2 ± 5.4 44.7 ± 3.4 145.8 ± 28.7 521.3 ± 93.5 501.9 ± 74.3 stat 1**- 1***- 1***- 1***- 1**- 1*- 2*** 2**- 2**- 2**- 2**- 2**- 5*- 3**- 3**- 3**- 3*-7.sup.T 7.sup.T 5.sup.T-7* 7* 5*- 7* 9 POLY + Y 16.4 ± 3.5 27.7 ± 7.2 43.1 ± 4.1 140.7 ± 33.3 601.7 ± 111.1 500.7 ± 54.7 stat 1**- 1**- 1***- 1***- 1**- 1*- 7* 4.sup.T- 3***- 3***- 3**- 3**- 6*-7.sup.T 4** 4**- 4***- 4*- 6* 6** 6*-7.sup.T

(41) Table 6 below represents the multiplication factor of the enzyme activities of the various batches in comparison with batch 1 (control). The value represents the ratio: (enzyme activity of a given batch)/(enzyme activity of the control batch).

(42) A result greater than 1 therefore shows that the enzyme activity of the given batch is greater than the enzyme activity of the control batch.

(43) TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 6 Batch α-Glc β-Glc β-Gal esterases CBH β-Xyl 2 C 0 1.23 0.83 0.88 1.12 0.73 3 BMD 2.14 2.37 1.03 0.91 3.20 1.17 4 Y 1.76 1.75 1.14 1.10 1.92 1.30 5 BMD + C 2.82 3.37 2.04 1.46 4.65 1.78 6 BMD + Y 5.16 4.61 2.05 1.52 5.81 1.94 7 POLY 1.37 1.58 1.02 0.99 1.89 1.06 8 POLY + C 2.27 2.81 1.62 1.31 3.06 1.51 9 POLY + Y 2.45 2.98 1.57 1.26 3.54 1.51

(44) Table 7 below represents the multiplication factor of the enzyme activities of the “branched maltodextrin+Chlorellae” batch in comparison with the “branched maltodextrin” and “Chlorellae” batches, or the multiplication factor of the “polydextrose+Chlorellae” batch in comparison with the “polydextrose” and “Chlorellae” batches. The value represents the ratio: (enzyme activity of the “product tested+Chlorellae” batch)/(enzyme activity of the “product tested” batch) or the ratio: (enzyme activity of the “product tested+Chlorellae” batch)/(enzyme activity of the “Chlorellae” batch).

(45) TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 7 Batch α-Glc β-Glc β-Gal esterases CBH β-Xyl (BMD + C)/C 2.82 2.73 2.48 1.64 4.14 2.41 (BMD + C)/BMD 1.31 1.42 1.98 1.60 1.45 1.51 (POLY + C)/C 2.27 2.28 1.97 1.47 2.73 2.04 (POLY + C)/POLY 1.65 1.78 1.59 1.31 1.62 1.42

(46) Table 8 below represents the multiplication factor of the enzyme activities of the “product tested+yeasts” batch in comparison with the “product tested” and “yeasts” batches. The value represents the ratio: (enzyme activity of the “product tested+yeasts” batch)/(enzyme activity of the “product tested” batch) or the ratio: (enzyme activity of the “product tested+yeasts” batch)/(enzyme activity of the “yeasts” batch).

(47) TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 8 Batch α-Glc β-Glc β-Gal esterases CBH β-Xyl (BMD + Y)/Y 2.40 1.94 1.98 1.67 1.81 1.65 (BMD + Y)/BMD 2.93 2.63 1.79 1.38 3.01 1.48 (POLY + Y)/Y 1.39 1.70 1.37 1.14 1.83 1.15 (POLY + Y)/POLY 1.78 1.88 1.53 1.27 1.87 1.42

(48) For the α-glucosidase, β-glucosidase and cellobiohydrolase activities, the statistical analysis shows that the activities of all the batches, except the “Chlorellae” batch, increase significantly compared with the control batch. If the “Chlorellae” batch is excluded, the multiplication factor of the activities is between 1.37 and 5.16 (α-glucosidases), between 1.58 and 4.61 (β-glucosidases) and between 1.02 and 5.81 (cellobiohydrolases) compared with the control batch.

(49) These activities are statistically greater for the “branched maltodextrin+Chlorellae” batch in comparison with the “branched maltodextrin” batch alone or with the “Chlorellae” batch alone. The multiplication factors are, respectively, 1.31-2.82 for the α-glucosidase, 1.42-2.73 for the β-glucosidase, and 1.45-4.14 for the cellobiohydrolase.

(50) Similarly, these activities are statistically greater for the “branched maltodextrin+yeasts” batch in comparison with the “branched maltodextrin” batch alone or with the “yeasts” batch alone. The multiplication factors are, respectively, 2.40-2.93 for the α-glucosidase, 1.94-2.63 for the β-glucosidase, and 1.81-3.01 for the cellobiohydrolase.

(51) For the β-galactosidase, esterase and β-xylosidase activities, the “branched maltodextrin+Chlorellae” and “branched maltodextrin+yeasts” batches experience a statistical increase in their activities compared with the control batch. For these two batches, the multiplication factor of the activities is 2.04/2.05 (β-galactosidases), 1.46/1.52 (esterases) and 1.78/1.94 (β-xylosidases) compared with the control batch.

(52) These activities are statistically greater for the “branched maltodextrin+Chlorellae” batch in comparison with the “branched maltodextrin” batch alone or with the “Chlorellae” batch alone. The multiplication factors are, respectively, 1.98-2.48 for the β-galactosidase, 1.60-1.64 for the esterase, and 1.51-2.41 for the β-xylosidase.

(53) Similarly, these activities are statistically greater for the “branched maltodextrin+yeasts” batch in comparison with the “branched maltodextrin” batch alone or with the “yeasts” batch alone. The multiplication factor are, respectively, 1.98-1.79 for the βgalactosidase, 1.67-1.38 for the esterase, and 1.65-1.48 for the β-xylosidase. All the results are less marked for the polydextrose tested alone or as a mixture with Chlorella or the yeasts.

(54) In order to prove that the products have a synergistic effect and not a cumulative effect, table 9 below represents the difference in enzyme activity calculated between a given batch and the control batch. The “theoretical results” have been calculated on this same table: the theoretical activity of batch 5 represents the sum of the activity obtained for batch 2 plus the activity of batch 3; the theoretical activity of batch 6 represents the sum of the activity obtained for batch 3 plus the activity of batch 4; the theoretical activity of batch 8 represents the sum of the activity obtained for batch 2 plus the activity of batch 7; the theoretical activity of batch 9 represents the sum of the activity obtained for batch 7 plus the activity of batch 4.

(55) Table 9 clearly shows that, irrespective of the enzyme activity measured, the activities obtained for the products tested as a mixture are very much greater than the theoretical enzyme activities calculated. The effects are therefore synergistic effects and not additive effects.

(56) TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 9 α-Glc β-Glc β-Gal esterases CBH β-Xyl 2 C 0 2.2 −4.8 −12.3 20.8 −87.1 3 BMD 7.7 12.8 0.9 −9.9 374.5 58.8 4 Y 5.1 7.0 3.9 11.5 157.5 102.6 5 BMD + C 12.2 22.1 28.8 51.4 622.4 260.6 5 7.7 15.0 −3.9 −22.2 395.3 −28.3 theoretical BMD + C 6 BMD + Y 27.9 33.6 28.9 58.5 819.1 314.8 6 12.8 19.8 4.8 1.6 532.1 161.4 theoretical BMD + Y 7 POLY 2.5 5.4 1.0 −0.6 151.0 21.1 8 POLY + C 8.5 16.9 17.2 34.3 351.1 169.3 8 2.5 7.6 −3.8 −12.9 171.8 −66.0 theoretical POLY + C 9 POLY + Y 9.7 18.4 15.6 29.2 431.5 168.1 9 7.6 12.4 4.9 10.9 308.5 123.7 theoretical POLY + Y

(57) In order to demonstrate the cell lysis of the microorganisms, an analysis of an intracellular marker was carried out. As opposed to yeast, Chlorella is described as containing many antioxidants such as chlorophyll and vitamins, for example. A study of this marker specific for the lysis of Chlorella, in the feces of both rats having ingested chlorella (batches 2 and 5) and rats having ingested yeasts (batches 4 and 6), makes it possible to distinguish the lysis of chlorella from any other artefactual effect not specific to the eukaryotic organism, chlorella or yeast, associated with the fiber.

(58) The results of the antioxidant activities of the feces measured on D14 are summarized in table 10.

(59) TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 10 Batch % inhibition 1 control 409.7 ± 28.6 stat 5*** 2 C 413.9 ± 37.6 stat 5*** 3 BMD 426.1 ± 43.4 stat 5** 4 Y 380.6 ± 23.6 stat — 5 BMD + C 497.0 ± 51.9 stat 1***- 2***- 3** 6 BMD + Y 419.5 ± 30.5 stat — 7 POLY 422.4 ± 37.9 stat — 8 POLY − C 451.7 ± 52.2 stat — 9 POLY + Y 430.9 ± 32.1 stat —

(60) The antioxidant capacity of the feces of the animals of the “branched maltodextrin+Chlorellae” batch is statistically increased compared to the control batch, compared to the “branched maltodextrin” batch and compared to the “Chlorellae” batch.

(61) The multiplication factors for the “branched maltodextrin+Chlorellae” batch are: 1.21 compared with the control batch 1.20 compared with the “chlorellae” batch 1.16 compared to the “branched maltodextrin” batch.

(62) The results obtained for the polydextrose are much less accentuated.

(63) In order to prove that the products have a synergistic effect and not a cumulative effect, table 11 below represents the difference in antioxidant capacity calculated between a given batch and the control batch. The “theoretical results” have been calculated on this same table: the theoretical activity of batch 5 represents the sum of the antioxidant capacity obtained for batch 2 plus the antioxidant capacity of batch 3; the theoretical activity of batch 6 represents the sum of the antioxidant capacity obtained for batch 3 plus the antioxidant capacity of batch 4.

(64) TABLE-US-00012 TABLE 11 % inhibition 2 C 4.2 3 BMD 16.4 4 Y −29.1 5 BMD + C 87.3 5 theoretical BMD + C 20.6 6 BMD + Y 9.8 6 theoretical BMD + Y −12.7 7 POLY 12.7 8 POLY + C 42.0 8 theoretical POLY + C 16.9 9 POLY + Y 21.2 9 theoretical POLY + Y −16.4

(65) This table clearly shows that the antioxidant capacity obtained for the branched maltodextrin/chlorellae mixture is very much greater than the theoretical antioxidant capacity calculated. The effects are therefore synergistic effects and not additive effects. This observation is not valid for the BMD+Y batch.

(66) These results clearly show that hydrolysis of the Chlorella wall enables the release of the antioxidants, whereas this is not observed for the animals consuming Chlorella alone.

(67) In order to support the observations made on the BMDs, other BMDs were tested (table 12) and similar results were obtained.

(68) TABLE-US-00013 TABLE 12 BMD1 BMD2 BMD3 Mn (g/mol) 1189 1232 2504 Mw (g/mol) 3996 4004 4602 Mn/Mw 3.4 3.2 1.8 1,6-linkage 33 32 31-35 Reducing 10.4 9.6 4.1 sugars

(69) These results are extremely interesting since they demonstrate a synergistic, and not additive, effect between the branched maltodextrin and the Chlorellae or yeasts. In the case of polydextrose, a synergistic effect is likewise observed between the polydextrose and the Chlorellae or yeasts. However, since the glucosidase activation obtained with the polydextrose is not as great as with the branched maltodextrins, the overall effect observed is not as great. Thus, the applicant has shown, by studying the enzyme activities in the feces of the rats, a synergistic effect of the mixture of soluble indigestible fibers and eukaryotic organisms with a polysaccharide wall on the growth of the intestinal flora. The applicant has also shown, by studying the antioxidant activities of the feces, a synergistic effect of the mixture of soluble indigestible fibers and eukaryotic organisms with a polysaccharide wall on the lysis of the organisms with a polysaccharide wall. In all probability, the bacteria of the intestinal flora, subsequent to the induction owing to the ingestion of the mixture, would secrete enzymes capable of hydrolyzing the wall of the Chlorellae and of the yeasts, releasing various compounds, in particular nitrogenous compounds, that promote the growth of other bacteria which will themselves produce enzymes. Salyers A A, Palmer J K, Wilkins T D. Laminarinase (beta-glucanase) activity in Bacteroides from the human colon. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1977 May; 33(5): 1118-24. Robert C, Chassard C, Lawson P A, Bernalier-Donadille A. Bacteroides cellulosilyticus sp. nov., a cellulolytic bacterium from the human gut microbial community. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol. 2007 July; 57 (Pt 7): 1516-20. Kopecný J, Hajer J, Mrázek J. Detection of cellulolytic bacteria from the human colon. Folia Microbiol (Praha). 2004; 49(2): 175-7. Marteau P, Pochart P, Flourié B, Pellier P, Santos L, Desjeux J F, Rambaud J C. Effect of chronic ingestion of a fermented dairy product containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum on metabolic activities of the colonic flora in humans. Am J Clin Nutr. 1990 October; 52(4): 685-8.