of the intestinal epithelium. Butyrate, which is a
by-product of microbial fermentation of products such
as resistant starch, is considered to be important for
normal development of epithelial cells (Pryde et al.,
2002). Brons et al. (2002) credit butyrate derived from
the fermentation of nonstarch polysaccharides with improved
gastrointestinal health in humans and reduced
incidence of colon cancer.