Open AccessEnrichment of bifidobacteria from human gut contents by oligofructose using continuous culture
Author(s) -
Gibson Glenn R.,
Wang Xin
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1994.tb06813.x
Subject(s) - chemostat , inulin , sucrose , fructose , food science , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , dilution , bacteria , gut flora , carbohydrate , chemistry , biochemistry , genetics , physics , thermodynamics
Chemostat cultures of human faecal bacteria were used to determine the bifidogenic effect of oligofructose, a fermentable carbohydrate found in a number of plants. In single stage continuous culture, oligofructose preferentially enriched for bifidobacteria, in comparison to sucrose and inulin. This stimulatory effect was enhanced at a high dilution rate, high substrate concentration and low pH. These parameters are likely to approximate to those that occur in the proximal colon. Studies with a three‐stage continuous culture model of the large intestine confirmed the bifidogenic effect of oligofructose. These in vitro data indicate that an increase in the concentration of fructose‐based oligosaccharides in the diet may alter the balance of the gut microflora towards bifidobacteria, a purported health‐promoting genus.