Metabolism of orally administered alkyl beta-glycosides in the mouse.

The metabolism of octyl beta-D-[U-14C]glucoside, ]1-14C]dodecyl beta-D-maltoside and [1-14C]hexadecyl beta-D-glucoside was studied after oral administration to mice. The beta-glycosidic bond was rapidly hydrolyzed in intestine and liver. The cleavage products, sugars and long-chain alcohols, entered the pathways of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. It appears that alkyl beta-glycosides are suitable as additives in food and feed.