Infectious diarrhea is a major problem in both children and piglets. Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) infection results in fluid and electrolyte losses in the small intestine. We investigated the effect of nonstarch polysaccharide (NSP) hydrolysis products of soybean meal (SBM) and canola meal (CM) on net absorption of fluid and solutes during ETEC infection. Products were generated by incubating SBM and CM with a blend of carbohydrase enzymes. Following incubation, slurries were centrifuged and the supernatants mixed with absolute ethanol to produce 2 product types: 80% ethanol-soluble (ES) and 80% ethanol-insoluble (EI). Products from SBM and CM were studied in 2 independent experiments in which 2 factors were investigated: product type (EI vs. ES) and time of ETEC infection (before vs. after perfusion). Pairs of small intestine segments, one noninfected and the other ETEC infected, were perfused simultaneously with different products for 7.5 h. Net absorption of fluid and solutes were determined. In both experiments, ETEC-infected segments perfused with saline control had lower (P < or = 0.05) net fluid and solute absorption compared with SBM and CM products. The interaction (P < or = 0.05) between product type and time of infection on fluid absorption was only evident for SBM, in which case perfusing ES products before infection resulted in higher fluid absorption (735 +/- 22 microL/cm2) compared with ETEC infection before perfusion (428 +/- 34 microL/cm2). In conclusion, NSP hydrolysis products of SBM and CM, particularly ES from SBM, were beneficial in maintaining fluid balance during ETEC infection, suggesting potential for controlling ETEC-induced diarrhea in piglets.