The data in our
study explained that the increase of free phenolics was not entirely
from the degradation of bound phenolics. The bound phenolics
cannot be directly digested by human enzymes, thus we hypothesise
that the bound phenolics may be absorbed when slowly and
continuously released into the lower gastrointestinal tract by the
simultaneous action of b-glucosidases and esterases of the micro-
flora in the colon