뽕잎 분말이 1, 10%가 되도록 사료에 첨가시켜 4주동안 SD 흰쥐에게 급여한 후 이들의 대장 내용물로부터 총균수와 주요장내미생물의 생균수를 배지를 이용하여 혐기배양한 후 측정한 결과 총균수는 뽕잎 투여군에서 대조군에 비해 감소하는 경향을 보였다. 그리고 유해균으로 분류할 수 있는 Clostridium은 대조군보다 뽕잎투여군에서 유의성있게 감소하였고, E. coli와 Staphylococcus도 감소하는 경향을 보였다. 뽕잎 메탄올 추출물과 분획물들의 미생물의 생장억제효과를 측정한 결과, 헥산분획과 물분획물이 Clostridium perfringens에 대하여 억제효과를 보였다. 장내균총의 개선 측면에서 뽕잎은 기능성 식품소재로서의 이용가능성이 있는 것으로 나타났다.
This study was performed to investigate the influence of dietary mulberry leaf on the intestinal microflora in rats. Rats were fed each experimental diets containing 1%, 10% of mulberry leaf powder for 4 weeks. Total viable counts and the numbers of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Clostridium, E. coli and Staphylococcus were determined by nonselective media and various selective media. A decrease in the intestinal population of Clostridium was shown in dietary mulberry leaf group. The E. coli and Staphylococcus populations decreased in dietary mulberry leaf group compared with control group. Methanol extract and fractions of mulberry leaf were subjected to an in vitro screening test for their growth-inhibitory activity. Methanol extract and Water fraction of Mulberry leaves showed weak growth-inhibition of Clostridium perfringens. These results indicate that the composition of gastrointestinal microflora was improved by treatment of mulberry leaves in SD rats and was very effective for growth inhibition of the intestinal harmful bacteria in intestine. Therefore, the mulberry leaves as a newly bio-material can be a useful material for physiologically functional food.
