Bacterial Flora in the

Colon
 Numerous bacteria, especially colon
bacilli, are present even normally in
the absorbing colon.
 GIT IN INFANTS
 BIRTH – STERILE GIT
 BREASTFED INFANTS
90% BIFIDOBACTERIA
 COW’S MILK, SOLID FOOD
BACTEROIDES
STREP
ENTERICS
 GIT IN INFANTS
The gastrointestinal tract is sterile at
birth, but colonization typically
begins within a few hours of birth,
starting in the small intestine and
progressing caudally over a period of
several days. In most circumstances,
a "mature" microbial flora is
established by 3 to 4 weeks of age
 Bacterial Flora in the
Colon
 Bacteroides, bifidobacteria, lactics,
enterics, enterococci, clostridia,
methanogens with bacteroides being
the major variety (>700 species)
 Inhabited mostly by anaerobic bacteria
 Other factors like PH also influence
inhabitance
Microbial Populations in the Digestive Tract of Normal
Humans

Stomach Jejunum Ileum Colon

Viable bacteria per 0 - 103 0 - 104 105 - 108 1010 - 1012

gram

pH 3.0 6.0-7.0 7.5 6.8-7.3

 Bacterial Flora in the
Colon
Significant functions are
 Synthesize Vitamins

 Digests cellulose (incompletely)

 Prevents growth of pathogenic organisms

 Contributes to gas formation (Flatus)

 Digests other undigested material (varies)

 Symbiosis/mutualistic (not just commensal)

 Bacterial production of
Vitamins
 Vitamin K, B12, thiamine, riboflavin
and other B vitamins
 Vitamin K synthesis for Blood
coagulation becomes important
during deficiency
 Partial digestion of
Cellulose
 Degradation of cellulose by colonic
bacteria varies, but generally it is
poorly fermented (doesn’t digest
well)
 Extra calories of nutrition
 Significant in herbivorous animals
 Prevents growth of
pathogenic organisms
 The bacteria found in the colon can
be grouped into two categories
based on their effect on humans
 “friendly” or “unfriendly” bacteria
 Prevents growth of
pathogenic organisms
 “Unfriendly” contribute to long-term
illness and chronic degeneration of
the body
 “Friendly” favorably alter the
intestinal flora balance, inhibit the
growth of harmful bacteria, promote
good digestion, boost immune
function, and increase resistance to
infection
 Contributes to gas
formation (Flatus)
 By-product of Bacterial metabolism
 Carbon dioxide, methane, hydrogen
sulfide, various other gases
 Contribute to Propulsion
Digests other undigested
material
 Colonic bacteria primarily degrade
carbohydrates, but they also use
some amino acids and proteins as
substrates necessary for the
production of energy, and carbon
atoms essential for bacterial growth
and maintenance.
 Applied
 Rise in “unfriendly” bacteria
 Causes conditions like Enteritis
(inflammation), Ulcerative colitis
(inflamed and ulcerated)
 Diarrhea results
 Applied
 Inhibition of Bacterial sustenance
 Antibiotics and Poor intake of dietary fibre
inhibit “friendly” species of bacteria as well as
the disease-causing bacteria
 An individual who depends on absorption of
vitamins formed by bacteria in the large
intestine may become vitamin deficient.