Supplementation of milk formula with galacto-oligosaccharides improves intestinal micro-flora and fermentation in term infants.

Background: Oligosaccharides in human milk may protect infants by improving the intestinal micro-flora and fermentation. This study was to investigate effects of infant formula milk consisting of galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) on intestinal microbial populations and the fermentation characteristics in term infants in comparison with that of human milk.

Methods: The test formula (Frisolac H, Friesland, Netherland) was supplemented with GOS at a concentration of 0.