Abstract :
This study was conducted to detect the effect of
common food chemicals on the Escherichia coli flora
present in the large intestine of the gastrointestinal tract.
E.coli is a symbiotic bacillus, one of the frequently
occurring microbes which produce vitamin K2. Bacterial
populations in the large intestine digest carbohydrates,
proteins and lipids that escape digestion and absorption in
the small intestine. The intensity of fermentation depends
on the number of microbes. The composition of the
microbial colony varies with age, state of health and diet.
The present study was therefore aimed at finding the effect
of commonly used food chemicals like Monosodium
glutamate (FAC: 621), saccharin(FAC: 954), sodium
nitrite (FAC: 250) on the intestinal E.coli. E.coli isolates
were variably susceptible to various concentrations of
MSG, saccharin and sodium nitrate. The increase in
concentration of these chemicals increasingly inhibits the
growth of intestinal E.coli. The decrease in E.coli
population may scale down the vitamin K2 production in
the body. This may lead to the deficiency of vitamin K2,
which reduces the level of active osteocalcin, which in turn
increases the risk of fragile bones. The vitamin K2
deficiency may also lead to Calcium Paradox, which
causes Osteoporosis
Keyword :
E.coli, Monosodium glutamate, saccharin, Calcium paradox, osteocalcin and osteoporosis