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Acquiring bifidobacteria species from formula-fed and breast-fed newborns: identifying, quantifying and creating an
Rajagopal Kammara1, Anagha Nellikka1
1Department of Microbiology and Fermentation Technology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) - Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysore, Karnataka, India.
Insights
Breastfed infants have higher Bifidobacterium populations than formula-fed infants. This study identified a new Bifidobacterium species and highlighted how growth conditions affect antibiotic susceptibility testing.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infant Gut Microbiome Research
- Bacterial Taxonomy
Background:
- Bifidobacterium species are crucial for infant gut health.
- Diet (breast milk vs. formula) significantly influences the infant gut microbiome composition.
- Understanding Bifidobacterium diversity and characteristics is essential for infant health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare Bifidobacterium populations in breast-fed versus formula-fed infants.
- To identify and characterize novel Bifidobacterium species.
- To investigate the impact of growth conditions on bacterial characteristics and antibiotic susceptibility.
Main Methods:
- Faecal sample analysis using various bacterial growth media (MRS, BHI, LB, Bifidobacteria agar).
- Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA and xfp (xylose/fructose 6-phosphate phosphoketolase) genes.
- Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) mapping and fructose 6-phosphate phosphoketolase (F6PPK) assay.
Main Results:
- Formula-fed infants exhibited lower Bifidobacterium populations compared to breast-fed infants.
- A novel Bifidobacterium species was identified through genetic and RFLP analysis.
- Bifidobacteria agar yielded the highest diversity and recovery rates.
- Antibiotic Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values varied based on media, growth conditions, bile salt, and pH.
Conclusions:
- Dietary practices profoundly impact Bifidobacterium colonization in infants.
- Environmental and experimental conditions are critical factors influencing bacterial identification and antibiotic resistance profiling.
- The study identified a new Bifidobacterium species, expanding our understanding of the genus.
Abstract:
After examining the Bifidobacterium spp. population in faeces samples from breast-fed and formula-fed infants, an antibiogram was created. The prevalence of Bifidobacterium spp. in faeces was determined using common bacterial growth media, including Man Rogos Sharpe (MRS), Brain Heart Infusion (BHI), Luria Bertani (LB) broth and Bifidobacteria agar. According to the findings, formula-fed babies had a low population of Bifidobacterium spp. in their stools while breast-fed babies had a high population. By using phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA and xfp (xylose/fructose 6-phosphate phosphoketolase) genes, and RFLP mapping of Bifidobacterium isolates, it was possible to identify a new and unique Bifidobacterium species. The intensity of the reddish brown colour produced during the F6PPK (fructose 6-phosphate phosphoketolase) assay is an accurate indicator of the proportion of various bifidobacteria present. Bifidobacteria agar media produced the greatest amounts of bifidobacteria diversity and recovery. Small (SCV) and Big colony variations (BCV) were formed during growth on different media. The various antibiotic MIC values changed depending on the use of different media, growth circumstances, bile salt treatment and low pH. The findings of this study demonstrate that test conditions also impact the diversity of microbiological conditions that distinguish between resistant and susceptible bacteria.
