Enrichment of bifidobacteria from human gut contents by oligofructose using continuous culture.
Chemostat cultures of human faecal bacteria were used to determine the bifidogenic effect of oligofructose, a fermentable carbohydrate found in a number of plants. In single stage continuous culture, oligofructose preferentially enriched for bifidobacteria, in comparison to sucrose and inulin. This stimulatory effect was enhanced at a high dilution rate, high substrate concentration and low pH. These parameters are likely to approximate to those that occur in the proximal colon. Studies with a three-stage continuous culture model of the large intestine confirmed the bifidogenic effect of oligofructose. These in vitro data indicate that an increase in the concentration of fructose-based oligosaccharides in the diet may alter the balance of the gut microflora towards bifidobacteria, a purported health-promoting genus.
Gibson
G R
GR
Medical Research Council, Dunn Clinical Nutrition Centre, Cambridge, UK.
Wang
X
X
D000693:Anaerobiosis; D001420:Bacteria, Aerobic / Q000254:growth & development; D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000254:growth & development; D001644:Bifidobacterium / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D003106:Colon / Q000382:microbiology*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003470:Culture Media; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D005285:Fermentation; D005632:Fructose / Q000378:metabolism*; D005947:Glucose; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007444:Inulin; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000378:metabolism*
D003470:Culture Media; D005227:Fatty Acids; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D005632:Fructose; D007444:Inulin; D005947:Glucose