Includes bibliographical references and index.

General introduction: prebiotics in nutrition / M.B Roberfroid -- Gastrointestinal microflora and interactions with gut mucosa / A.L. Wells, D.M.A. Saulnier, and G.R. Gibson -- Prebiotics: concept: definition, criteria, methodologies, and products / M.B. Roberfroid -- The prebiotic effect: review of experimental and human data / S. Kolida and G.R.Gibson -- Effects of prebiotics on mineral absorption: mechanisms of action / I.J. Griffin & S.A. Abrams -- Prebiotics and the absorption of minerals, a review of experimental and human data / K.M. Hawthorne & S.A. Abrams -- Immune functions and mechanisms in the gastrointestinal tract / A. Dubert-Ferrandon, D.S. Newburg & W.A. Walker -- Prebiotics and the immune system: review of experimental and human data / S. Seifert & B. Watzl -- Triacylglycerols and cholesterol metabolism / M.Beylot, F. Forcheron & D. Letexier -- Prebiotics and lipid metabolism: review of experimental and human data / N.M. Delzenne & A.M. Neyrinck --

Endocrinology of the gastro-intestinal tract and modulation of satiety: specific focus on glucagon like peptide-1 / R. Burcelin & P.D. Cani -- Prebiotics and modulation of gastrointestinal peptides / P.D. Cani, R. Burcelin & C. Knauf -- Designing studies and rodent models for studying prebiotics for colorectal cancer prevention / N.J. Emenaker & J.A. Milner -- Colorectal cancer prevention: the role of prebiotics / A. Umar, N.J. Emenaker & J.A. Milner -- Prebiotics and reduction of risk of carcinogenesis: review of experimental and human data / A. Klinder, M. Glei & B.L. Pool-Zobel -- Prebiotics and cancer therapy / H.S. Taper & M.B. Roberfroid -- Pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel diseases / F.Hoentjen & L. A. Dieleman -- Prebiotics in inflammatory bowel diseases / F. Guarner -- Prebiotics and infant nutrition / Y. Vandenplas ... [et al.] -- Prebiotics and nutrition in the elderly: the concept of healthy aging / I.R. Rowland & C. Gill -- Prebiotics and animal nutrition / J. Van Loo -- Food applications of prebiotics / A. Franck -- Prebiotics and food safety / G. Pascal -- Concluding remarks / G.R Gibson & M.B. Roberfroid.