| The human large intestine is a complex microbial ecosystem and the most heavily colonised region of the digestive tract (1012 bacteria /gram content). Gut fermentation is a complicated process, in which the wide range of bacterial species is responsible for multiple nutritional patterns. These species act interdependently to bring carbohydrate metabolism to full completion. Colonisation and growth of bacteria in the intestines are determined by numerous factors, such as substrate availability (nutrient competition & composition of the diet), gut transit time and pH (autoinhibition of invaders) and redox potential (inhibition by deconjugated bile acids). |