title: Carbohydrate metabolism in Bifidobacteria.
abstract: Members of the genus Bifidobacterium can be found as components of the gastrointestinal microbiota, and are believed to play an important role in maintaining and promoting human health by eliciting a number of beneficial properties. Bifidobacteria can utilize a diverse range of dietary carbohydrates that escape degradation in the upper parts of the intestine, many of which are plant-derived oligo- and polysaccharides. The gene content of a bifidobacterial genome reflects this apparent metabolic adaptation to a complex carbohydrate-rich gastrointestinal tract environment as it encodes a large number of predicted carbohydrate-modifying enzymes. Different bifidobacterial strains may possess different carbohydrate utilizing abilities, as established by a number of studies reviewed here. Carbohydrate-degrading activities described for bifidobacteria and their relevance to the deliberate enhancement of number and/or activity of bifidobacteria in the gut are also discussed in this review.
authors.affiliation: Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, Department of Microbiology, University College Cork, Western Road, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Karina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pokusaeva
authors.forename: Gerald F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Fitzgerald
authors.forename: Douwe
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: van Sinderen