Oligosaccharides and polysaccharides specifically utilizable by Bifidobacteria.

Abstract

Oligo- and poly-saccharides which are utilized only by Bifidobacterium infantis and B. breve and not by other intestinal bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Streptococcus faecalis were investigated in vitro to produce bifidus-flora in human intestines. Raffinose, stachyose and inulin were specifically utilized by B. infantis and doubling time of the cells with them as energy source was as short as with glucose and lactose. Inulin of MW higher than about 4500 was not utilized by B. infantis. Oligosaccharides more than trisaccharide from inulin and tri- to penta-saccharides from dextran obtained by acid hydrolysis followed by Sephadex gel chromatographic separation were utilized specifically by B. infantis, but oligosaccharides from amylose and cellulose were found nonspecific for B. infantis and B. breve. Suitability of sugars for producing bifidusflora in vivo is discussed.