Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Company, Ltd.

Ryoko Kondo

Seishi Takenawa

Kiyohiko Kunugita

Motoko Yamochi

Yasumi Mori

Tsutomu Terachi

Toshihiko Asano

This invention relates to a bifidobacterium growth promotant comprising gluconic acid, a nontoxic salt thereof and/or glucono-.delta.-lactone as an active ingredient. The bifidobacterium growth promotant of this invention has selective bifidobacterial growth promoting-activity and, at the same time, inhibits growth of deleterious bacteria. Moreover, its rate of digestion and absorption in the upper alimentary tract is so low that the promotant has very satisfactory characteristics as a bifidus factor. Therefore, the bifidobacterium growth promotant of this invention can be used per se or as an additive for various foods and drink to provide functional foods and drinks, thus being of great value from the standpoint of health improvement.

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Tsukuba, Japan

Ryoko Kondo