Prebiotics are known as components of intestinal microbiota that can improve and maintain human health status by stimulating the growth and activity of the intestinal tract as a method of controlling the intestinal environment. In this study, we examined whether 2’-fucosyllactose (FL) could affect intestinal microbial population and bowel activity. Water content and frequency of mouse feces were increased in the 2’-FL treated group at a high concentration (1,000 mg/kg), with brightness of the color enhanced and physical properties diluted. In addition, intestinal microbial analysis showed that harmful bacteria Clostridium and Staphylococcus strains were decreased and beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus strains were markedly increased in the group treated with a high concentration of 2’-FL compared to those in the control group. These findings suggest that administration of 2’-FL can maintain healthy bowel activity by reducing harmful bacteria population and improving diluted physical properties.

A nematode, which showed entomopathogenicity, was isolated from Exomala orientalis in Korea, and then identified as Rhabditis blumi. Pathogenicity of R. blumi was evaluated against major cruciferous insect pests, including Artogeia rapae, Mamestra brassicae, and Plutella xylostella. In Petri-dish tests, insect mortality was dose and time dependent, which increased with dose (0–80 dauer juveniles/larva) and time increments. In greenhouse tests, P. xylostella larvae were most susceptible to nematodes, with insect reduction rate of 88.0 %. The rate varied with vegetable species and persistence time of live nematodes on vegetable leaves after spraying. The aeration rate was an important parameter for cultivation of the nematode R. blumi. A sufficient DOT level in the culture using an air-lift bioreactor should be maintained. The nematode growth rate increased with an increasing DOT level and/or bacteria uptake rate. The maximum nematode yield of 1.75 x 105 per ml was obtained under an aeration rate of 6 vvm.