Sesame Seed Extract and Konjac Gum May Help Prevent Gut Infections

In a study published recently in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, researchers found out that among several food items tested, konjac gum and sesame seed extract may protect against, or reduce severity of gastro-intestinal infections caused by different E. coli and Salmonella strains.

In the lab study which also included negative controls, the scientists looked at 18 food-related products including coffee beans, carrot, mango, fermented soya, and food stabilizers such as locust bean gum and konjac gum. All were subjected to in-vitro exposure to various bacteria which were allowed to attach themselves to the test products. The levels of bound bacteria were determined in a microplate-based method specifically developed for this purpose.

The results showed that sesame seed extract and konjac gum had the greatest number of adhered bacteria, leading to the conclusion that they may have a part to play in preventing certain E. coli and Salmonella from latching onto the host.

What in the world is konjac gum?!? Never heard of it before, but apparently konjac a good source of soluble dietary fiber and is used in various food products as gelling agent, thickener, stabilizer, emulsifier and film former.