| Abstract: | The influence of a number of hydrocolloids on the transit time of digesta, stool weight and colour of stools was investigated in rats. All hydrocolloids tested gave the stools a lighter colour and increased their size and water content. The hydrocolloids could be divided into two groups according to their action on digesta passage: pectin, gum arabic, oxidised starch and barley β-glucan retarded it, while guar gum, carrageenan, tragacanth gum, carob bean gum, sodium alginate and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose accelerated it. After feeding carrageenan for 1 week it took several weeks before water content and transit time returned to normal. Gum arabic was found to cause caecal distension. |
