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Structural profiles and prebiotic functions of bifidobacterial exopolysaccharides revealed by a polysaccharide-free

Nanyu Tang1, Qiaoya Mo1, Chang Xu2

  • 1Sanya Institute of Nanjing Agricultural University, College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210095, PR China.

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
|June 10, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Bifidobacterium exopolysaccharides (EPS) from infant strains selectively promote beneficial gut bacteria and increase short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These findings highlight the prebiotic potential of Bifidobacterium EPS for targeted gut health modulation.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Gut Microbiome Research
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Bifidobacterium exopolysaccharides (EPS) are recognized for their potential gut health benefits.
  • The specific impact of Bifidobacterium EPS on gut microbiota composition and function requires further elucidation.
  • Understanding EPS structure-function relationships is key to harnessing their prebiotic potential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To extract and characterize exopolysaccharides (EPS) from infant-derived Bifidobacterium strains.
  • To investigate the in vitro prebiotic effects of specific Bifidobacterium EPS on gut microbiota composition and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production.
  • To elucidate the structure of EPS and correlate it with their observed prebiotic activities.

Main Methods:

  • Extraction of EPS from six infant Bifidobacterium strains (B. breve, B. longum subsp. longum) using a specialized MRS-TY medium.
  • Structural characterization of EPS, including monosaccharide profiling.
  • In vitro growth assays to assess EPS utilization by specific Lactobacillus strains.
  • In vitro fermentation of EPS with human fecal cultures to evaluate microbiota modulation and SCFA production.

Main Results:

  • EPS from B. breve BB033 (BB-EPS) and B. longum subsp. longum 8216 (BLL-EPS) were successfully extracted and characterized, showing distinct monosaccharide compositions (e.g., high galactose in BB-EPS).
  • BB-EPS specifically promoted Lactobacillus crispatus C-3 growth, while BLL-EPS supported a broader range of Lactobacillus strains.
  • Both BB-EPS and BLL-EPS selectively enriched beneficial gut bacteria (Bifidobacterium, Blautia) and increased SCFA production, with BB-EPS showing higher efficacy in total SCFA stimulation.

Conclusions:

  • Bifidobacterium exopolysaccharides possess distinct structural features that dictate their prebiotic activity.
  • Both BB-EPS and BLL-EPS demonstrate significant potential as prebiotics, capable of modulating gut microbiota composition and enhancing SCFA production.
  • These findings provide a scientific basis for utilizing specific Bifidobacterium EPS as targeted functional ingredients for improving gut health.

Keywords:
Bifidobacterial exopolysaccharidesGut microbiotaIn vitro fermentation

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