eng Science and Education Publishing Journal of Food and Nutrition Research 2333-1240 2021-02-28 9 2 96 101 10.12691/jfnr-9-2-6 JFNR2021926 article Hiroshi Kasai h-kasai@med.uoeh-u.ac.jp 1 Yuya Kawasaki 1 Kazuaki Kawai 1 Department of Environmental Oncology, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyushu, Japan 1,4-Dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (DHNA) is a metabolic by-product of fermentation by Propionibacterium and is thought to have a beneficial effect as a prebiotic. As it is unstable in air, we have developed a new stable DHNA derivative, DHNA-4-sulfate (DHNAS), which should be converted to DHNA in vivo. After DHNAS was administered to mice, fecal size enlargement and softening were observed. As a metabolite, DHNA-4--glucuronide (DHNAG) was detected in the urine, which suggested the sequential conversion, DHNASDHNADHNAG, in vivo. These 4-OH-blocked DHNA derivatives, DHNAS and DHNAG, were stable at pH 3 and pH 7.4, and in water, while DHNA decomposed rapidly within 20 hrs. DHNAS may be a useful food additive to improve human intestinal health, and a promising constipation preventive agent. http://pubs.sciepub.com/jfnr/9/2/6/jfnr-9-2-6.pdf 1 4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid sulfate DHNA prebiotic anti-constipation laxative vitamin K food additive