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Performance of bifidobacteria in oat-based media
Riikka Laine1, Seppo Salminen, Yoshimi Benno
1Department of Biochemistry and Food Chemistry, University of Turku, FIN-20014 Turku, Finland.
International Journal of Food Microbiology
|April 4, 2003
Summary
Researchers studied Bifidobacterium strains from elderly individuals, assessing their ability to survive and adhere in an oat-based medium. Some strains showed good survival and mucus adhesion, suggesting potential probiotic applications for the elderly.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Bifidobacterium strains are crucial for gut health, particularly in the elderly.
- Probiotic selection requires evaluating survival, acidification, and adhesion capabilities.
- Oat-based media offer a potential substrate for probiotic fermentation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize Bifidobacterium strains from elderly subjects.
- To assess the survival, acidification, and ex vivo adhesion of these strains in an oat-based medium.
- To evaluate the impact of the oat medium on bacterial adhesion to human colonic tissue and mucus.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of Bifidobacterium strains from elderly fecal samples.
- Fermentation assays in an oat-based medium to assess survival and acidification.
- Ex vivo adhesion tests using human colonic tissue and mucus from elderly subjects.
Main Results:
- Seven of fourteen isolated Bifidobacterium strains survived 24-hour fermentation in the oat medium.
- Six surviving strains successfully acidified the medium to below pH 5.
- Isolated strains demonstrated high adhesion to elderly intestinal mucus but lower adhesion to colonic tissue; prior oat medium exposure enhanced adhesion in two strains.
Conclusions:
- Bifidobacterium strains isolated from the elderly exhibit promising survival and acidification in an oat-based medium.
- These strains show significant adhesion to intestinal mucus, a key factor for probiotic efficacy.
- Further research is warranted to explore the potential of these strains as probiotics for the elderly population.