The effects of F&E, a fermented Vegetable extract, on intestinal bacterial flora in humans were investigated using an intestinal bacterial flora analysis technique we developed (new terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP)) , and the extract’s health benefits were examined. Twenty-two subjects (17 men and 5 women, aged 19 to 24) took 100 ml of F&E daily for 2 weeks. Fecal samples were collected from the subjects before the experiment, on the 7th and 14th days (during the experiment), and on the 21st day after the experiment.

(1)T-RELP analysis found 24 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) overall. The proportions of OTUs varied among the subjects.

(2)There was no 0TU for which all subjects showed an increase or a decrease after taking F&E enzyme. Each OTU increased for some subjects, decreased for others and remained largely unchanged for the rest.

(3)The proportion of subject who showed an increase, decrease or no change in OTU124 (Bifidobacterium) did not differ from that for all other OTUs; however, when subjects who ate yogurt or oligosaccharide products daily were eliminated, significant differences were observed in that proportion between OTU124 and some other OTUs.

(4)In many the subjects in which OTU124 increased, Clostridium OTUS tended to decrease (notably, OTU749 of cluster IV).

F&E enzyme ingestion was expected to improve intestinal conditions.