The Inclusion of Lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) Seed Meal or its Fibre Residue in the Diet Reduces the Levels of Escherichia coli in both Small and Large Intestines of the Rat

Abstract

An investigation into the anti-nutritive effect of feeding lupin seeds to male Hooded-Lister rats, showed that lupin containing diets decreased the numbers of Escherichia coli in the caecum, colon and the small intestine. This potentially beneficial lowering of E. coli populations in the gut may be due to the hindrance by the lupin fibre of the attachment of E. coli to gut receptors, since the effect also occurred in the small intestine where the lupin residue particles have not yet been degraded by bacterial fermentation. Accordingly, it may be possible to use lupin residue as a dietary supplement for reducing the number of potentially harmful E. coli in the monogastric gut.

Key Words:

• lupin seed
• fibre
• E. coli
• gut.