Diseases related to diet and lifestyle are serious problems in the developed world. These conditions include colo-rectal cancer, coronary heart disease and diabetes which are also appearing in the developing world with greater affluence. In part, these conditions are a consequence of the ready availability of modern, convenience foods which are highly refined, high in energy and are digested quickly and efficiently by the human digestive system. This means that the circulation is flooded with nutrients but that little passes to the large bowel for metabolism by the resident bacteria (as happens with traditional diets). These bacteria ferment unabsorbed food components, especially starches and fibre, releasing compounds (short chain fatty acids, SCFA) which promote bowel health, lower the risk of serious disease and provide slow-release energy. The fraction of starch entering the large bowel is called resistant starch (RS) and CSIRO is investigating the factors which control its levels in food as well as its actions in the body.
RS is emerging as a contributor to health which is at least as important as dietary fibre and is a major focus of health-related research and development. One of the most important topics in RS research is the need for a high throughput method to measure it quickly and accurately in vitro. Current analyses involve either invasive procedures in humans or demanding in vitro methods. Neither is suitable for routine use. CSIRO is developing such an in vitro method and validated against human data. The method is accurate and precise for a range of processed foods. It has been found also that most of those foods which are important staples are low in RS.
Simplot Australia has supported the development of this methodology and worked with CSIRO to determine the RS content of their foods. They have identified those (such as canned beans and bean mixes) high in RS. Simplot have used this information to promote those which are high in RS and to enhance the RS content of their products overall. The knowledge has proved particularly useful in the development of a healthy choice program for schoolchildren. Given the low level of RS in most foods currently available, this is a very significant application of the advanced RS technology which they have helped to develop.
For more information on CSIRO visit http://www.csiro.au/
