Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Functional Complementation Analysis FCA: A Laboratory Exercise Designed and Implemented to Supplement the Teaching of Biochemical Pathways
Published on: June 24, 2016
Short communication: Genotype-phenotype association analysis revealed different utilization ability of
Zhujun He1, Bo Yang2, Xiaoming Liu1
1State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China.
Abstract:
The oligosaccharide 2'-fucosyllactose (2'FL) in human breast milk selectively promotes the proliferation of bifidobacteria. One hundred fifty-one Bifidobacterium strains were evaluated for their capacity to utilize 2'FL based on the combination of phenotype and genotype association analysis. Through genotype analysis, 37 strains were predicted to have the ability to use 2'FL, including Bifidobacteriumbifidum, Bifidobacteriumbreve, Bifidobacteriumlongum ssp. longum, Bifidobacteriumlongum ssp. infantis, and Bifidobacteriumdentium, whereas Bifidobacteriumadolescentis, Bifidobacteriumanimalis, Bifidobacteriumpseudocatenulatum, and Bifidobacteriumangulatum could not use 2'FL. For in vitro utilization, there were noteworthy differences for 2'FL usage among different species, which were 100% consistent with genotype prediction. The results indicated that 2'FL utilization ability differed even within the same species, and Bifidobacterium followed the currently well-known pathway to utilize 2'FL, which could provide guidance to develop personalized prebiotics for different bifidobacteria via gene-trait matching analysis.
Related Concept Videos
Microbiota of the Large Intestine
Dysbiosis of the Gut Microbiota
Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics

