Abstract: Method of enhancing a resident population of microorganism in a selected site of the gastrointestinal tract of an animal, the method comprising providing to the animal a selected modified or unmodified resistant startch or mixtures thereof in combination with one or more probiotic microogranisms such that upon ingestion the starch passes through the gastrointestinal tract substantially unutilized until it reaches the selected site where it is utilised by the resident and/or the probiotic microogranisms thereof causing an increase in number and/or activity of the microogranisms.

Abstract: Improved method of enhancing a population of one or more target micoorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract of an animal, the improvement comprising providing to the animal a selected modified or unmodified resistant starch or mixtures thereof, such that the one or more microorganisms will selectively utilize the starch and/or increase in number and/or activity in the gastrointestinal tract, either uniformly throughout the gastrointestinal tract or at specific site or regions.

Abstract: Improved method of enhancing a population of one or more target micoorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract of an animal, the improvement comprising providing to the animal a selected modified or unmodified resistant starch or mixtures thereof, such that the one or more microorganisms will selectively utilize the starch and/or increase in number and/or activity in the gastrointestinal tract, either uniformly throughout the gastrointestinal tract or at specific site or regions.

Abstract: Starch, particularly maize starch, having an amylose content of more than 80% w/w, including physically or chemically modified derivatives thereof, and destructurized and non-destructurized forms thereof. Also, disclosed are hybrid maize seeds capable of producing a starch having an amylose content of more than 80%. Also disclosed are starch fractions of enhanced dietary fiber and/or resistant starch content.

Abstract: Method of enhancing a resident population of microorganism in a selected site of the gastrointestinal tract of an animal, the method comprising providing to the animal a selected modified or unmodified resistant starch or mixtures thereof in combination with one or more probiotic microorganisms such that upon ingestion the starch passes through the gastrointestinal tract substantially unutilized until it reaches the selected site where it is utilized by the resident and/or the probiotic microorganisms thereof causing an increase in number and/or activity of the microorganisms.

Abstract: Improved method of enhancing a population of one or more target microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract of an animal, the improvement comprising providing to the animal a selected modified or unmodified resistant starch or mixtures thereof, such that the one or more microorganisms will selectively utilise the starch and/or increase in number and/or activity in the gastrointestinal tract, either uniformly throughout the gastrointestinal tract or at specific site or regions.

Abstract: A probiotic composition is disclosed which is particularly useful for inclusion in food products to enhance their nutritional value. The composition comprises one or more probiotic microorganisms such as Bifidobacterium and a carrier to transport the microorganisms to the large bowel or other regions of the gastrointestinal tract. The carrier is a modified or unmodified resistant starch, particularly a high amylose starch, which acts as a growth or maintenance medium for microorganisms in the large bowel or other regions of the gastrointestinal tact.

Abstract: Hybrid maize seeds which yield a starch having an amylose content of 80% or more are disclosed as are starches having that amylose content. Compositions including these high amylose starches are also disclosed. Fractions of high amylose starches which have been formed on the basis of granule size are shown to have enhanced dietary fiber and/or resistant starch content. Such fractions enable the preparation of food compositions of enhanced dietary fiber and/or resistant starch content.

Abstract: Starch, particularly maize starch, having an amylose content of more than 80% w/w, including physically or chemically modified derivatives thereof, and destructurized and non-destructurized forms thereof. Also, disclosed are hybrid maize seeds capable of producing a starch having an amylose content of more than 80%. Also disclosed are starch fractions of enhanced dietary fiber and/or resistant starch content.