ABSTRACT
The objectives of this study was to determine whether a new physically modified cornstarch by ultra-fine- or nanoscale pulverizer to reduce particle size offers better bioactive function than native cornstarch in weanling Sprague-Dawley rats. Male weaning Sprague-Dawley rats were fed diets containing native cornstarch (NAC), ultra fine pulverized cornstarch (UFC) or nano-scale pulverized cornstarch (NSC) for 4 weeks. In vitro rate of starch hydrolysis, growth performance, organ weight, intestine length intestinal proliferation and the fermentation by Bifidobacterium of rat cecum were evaluated. The diet with reduced particle size (UFC or NSC) significantly increased body weight gain and organ weight. Feed efficiency was increased in NSC fed rats and was not affected in UFC fed rats. Intestinal proliferation was decreased in NSC group. Reduction of particle size also increased cecal short chain fatty acid concentration and the growth and acidifying activity of Bifidobacterium. It is concluded that a reduction of particle size of starch granules by physically modification may increase growing performance and gut function.