Carbohydrate preference, acid tolerance and bile tolerance in five strains of Bifidobacterium.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the suitability of bifidobacteria for inclusion in synbiotic products on the basis of carbohydrate preference, acid and bile tolerance.


RESULTS
Five strains of Bifidobacterium were analysed for their carbohydrate preference from 12 substrates. Maximum growth rates were used to compare substrate preferences. Galacto-oligosaccharides and isomalto-oligosaccharides were well utilized by all the test species. Most bacteria tested could also utilize at least one type of fructan molecule. To determine transit tolerance of potentially probiotic bifidobacteria, acid and bile resistance was tested. A wide range acid resistance was found. Bile tolerance also varied.


CONCLUSIONS
GOS and IMO were generally well utilized by the tested species. Other substrates were used to different degrees by the different species. Most bifidobacteria are poorly resistant to strongly acidic conditions with the exception of Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12. Bile tolerances were widely variable and it was shown that caution should be exercised when using colorimetric methods to assess bile tolerance.


CONCLUSIONS
The study allows the comparison of the properties of bifidobacteria, allowing a cost effective screen for the best species for use in synbiotic products to allow better survival and efficacy.
Food Microbial Sciences Unit, School of Food Biosciences, The University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading, UK.
Claire L
CL
Vernazza
Glenn R
GR
Gibson
Robert A
RA
Rastall
D001644:Bifidobacterium / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D001646:Bile / Q000378:metabolism*; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial / Q000379:methods; D003470:Culture Media; D005503:Food Additives / Q000378:metabolism; D005632:Fructose / Q000378:metabolism; D005690:Galactose / Q000378:metabolism; D005936:Glucans / Q000378:metabolism; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007444:Inulin / Q000378:metabolism; D007534:Isomaltose / Q000378:metabolism; D007792:Lactulose / Q000378:metabolism; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000378:metabolism; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000378:metabolism; D019936:Probiotics / Q000378:metabolism; D013402:Sugar Alcohols / Q000378:metabolism; D013549:Sweetening Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D014994:Xylose / Q000378:metabolism
D003470:Culture Media; D005503:Food Additives; D005936:Glucans; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D011134:Polysaccharides; D013402:Sugar Alcohols; D013549:Sweetening Agents; D005632:Fructose; D007792:Lactulose; D007534:Isomaltose; C008315:maltodextrin; D007444:Inulin; D014994:Xylose; D005947:Glucose; C014635:lactitol; C033375:polydextrose; D005690:Galactose