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Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage
Published on: January 27, 2019
Utilization of galactooligosaccharides by Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis isolates
Daniel Garrido1, Santiago Ruiz-Moyano, Rogelio Jimenez-Espinoza
1Department of Food Science and Technology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Food Microbiology
|December 4, 2012
Summary
Galactooligosaccharides promote growth in Bifidobacterium infantis, with specific enzymes enabling their consumption. Different prebiotics impact short-chain fatty acid production, influencing host health.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Nutritional Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Prebiotics selectively stimulate beneficial gut bacteria, like Bifidobacterium species.
- Galactooligosaccharides (GOS) are common prebiotics in infant formulas.
- Understanding prebiotic metabolism in Bifidobacterium is crucial for dietary interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the consumption of GOS by Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis isolates.
- To identify the specific enzymes involved in GOS breakdown by B. infantis.
- To analyze the impact of different prebiotics on short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production.
Main Methods:
- Growth experiments with 22 B. infantis isolates on GOS.
- Enzyme assays using recombinant β-galactosidases from B. infantis ATCC 15697.
- Measurement of SCFAs produced by B. infantis ATCC 15697 grown on various prebiotics.
Main Results:
- Most B. infantis isolates grew well on GOS, with variable consumption of larger GOS molecules.
- Three of five β-galactosidase genes in B. infantis ATCC 15697 were induced by GOS.
- Four β-galactosidases showed activity on GOS, releasing monosaccharides.
- Lactose and GOS yielded higher biomass and product, while human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) led to greater SCFA per cell.
Conclusions:
- This study provides molecular insights into GOS utilization by B. infantis.
- Enzymatic differences explain variable GOS consumption among B. infantis strains.
- Prebiotic metabolism variations in B. infantis can differentially affect host physiology.
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