Effects of enzymatic hydrolysates of whey protein concentrates (WPC) on iron absorption were studied using in vitro digestion combined with Caco-2 cell models for improved iron absorption. Neutrase- and papain-treated WPC could improve iron absorption; especially hydrolysates by Neutrase could significantly increase iron absorption to 12.8% compared to 3.8% in the control. Hydrolysates by alcalase had negative effects to the lowest at 0.57%. Two new bands at molecular weights (MW) around and below 10 kDa occurred at tricine-SDS-PAGE of hydrolysates by Neutrase, and one new band at MW below 10 kDa occurred in hydrolysates by papain. No new band was observed in hydrolysates by alcalase. Concentration of free amino acids indicated that, except for tyrosine and phenylalanine, amino acids in papain-treated hydrolysates were higher than that of alcalase, and no cysteine and proline were found in hydrolysates by alcalase. The results suggested that hydrolysate by Neutrase-treated WPC is a promising facilitator for iron absorption. Peptides of MW around and lower than 10 kDa and aspartic acid, serine, glutamic acid, glycin, cysteine, histidine, and proline may be contributors to enhancement.

Wheat bran is the by-product of milling wheat flour which is one of the richest sources of dietary fiber, and cellulase that can be used for increasing the soluble dietary fiber. We hypothesize that wheat bran prebiotics would improve mineral-metabolism gene expression, and intestinal functionality, and increase health-promoting bacterial populations in vivo (Gallus gallus). By using the intra-amniotic administration procedure, five groups (non-injected; 18 Ω H₂O; 100 mg mL⁻¹ wheat bran prebiotics; 100 mg mL⁻¹ cellulase wheat bran prebiotics; 50 mg mL⁻¹ Arbinose) were utilized. Upon hatch, the cecum, small intestine and liver were collected for assessment. The results indicated that wheat bran prebiotics significantly up regulated the expression of certain brush border membrane functional genes, and mineral metabolism related proteins, in addition to increasing the intestinal beneficial bacterial populations. Prebiotics from wheat bran, cellulase wheat bran and arabinose increased the intestinal villi height, and goblet cell diameters and numbers.