title: Phytase activity as a novel metabolic feature in Bifidobacterium.
abstract: Phytase activity has been detected for the first time in Bifidobacterium spp. These bacteria were able to dephosphorylate phytic acid (myo-inositol hexaphosphate, IP(6)) and generate several myo-inositol phosphate intermediates (IP(3)-IP(5)). B. globosum and B. pseudocatenulatum were optimally active at neutral-alkaline pH and B. adolescentis, B. angulatum and B. longum at acid pH. B. pseudocatenulatum showed the highest levels of phytase activity. This species produced maximum activity in the exponential phase of growth and when fructo-oligosaccharides were used as carbon source in the culture medium. The potential role of phytase activity from Bifidobacterium spp. in the reduction of the antinutritional properties of IP(6) is discussed.
authors.affiliation: EU Centre of Excellence CENEXFOOD, Division of Food Science, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Tuwima 10, 10-747 Olsztyn, Poland.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haros
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bielecka
authors.forename: Yolanda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sanz
mesh_terms: D010832:6-Phytase / Q000032:analysis*; D001644:Bifidobacterium / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D010833:Phytic Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D009844:Oligosaccharides; C116580:fructooligosaccharide; D010833:Phytic Acid; D010832:6-Phytase