Carbohydrate metabolism in Bifidobacteria

Abstract

Members of the genus Bifidobacterium can be found as components of the gastrointestinal microbiota, and are believed to play an important role in maintaining and promoting human health by eliciting a number of beneficial properties. Bifidobacteria can utilize a diverse range of dietary carbohydrates that escape degradation in the upper parts of the intestine, many of which are plantderived oligo-and polysaccharides. The gene content of a bifidobacterial genome reflects this apparent metabolic adaptation to a complex carbohydrate-rich gastrointestinal tract environment as it encodes a large number of predicted carbohydrate-modifying enzymes. Different bifidobacterial strains may possess different carbohydrate utilizing abilities, as established by a number of studies reviewed here. Carbohydrate-degrading activities described for bifidobacteria and their relevance to the deliberate enhancement of number and/or activity of bifidobacteria in the gut are also discussed in this review.

Probiogenomics as a tool to obtain genetic insights into adaptation of probiotic bacteria to the human gut

“…12 Moreover, genetic and biochemical studies have been directed to analyze the capabilities of various bifidobacterial species to utilize diet-related carbohydrates, such as amylopectin, galactan, starch and pullulan. [27][28][29] Another example of how bifidobacterial genome data allows us to link the presence of particular genes to a specific ecological niche adaptation has been provided by publications focusing on bifidobacteria isolated from different environments, such as the infant gut (i.e., the case of B. longum subsp infantis ATCC15697 14 ) and the oral cavity (i.e., the case of B. dentium Bd1…”

Effects of phytochemicals on in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of Bifidobacterium adolescentis

“…7−11) The health-promoting effects of probiotic bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria have been associated with vitamin production, carbohydrate fermentation, intestinal epithelial cell protection, immunomodulation, and antipathogen activity. 16,[30][31][32] Probiotic anaerobes have also been found to secrete anti-inflammatory agents. 25,33,34) Furthermore, our previous study showed that the flavonols quercetin, galangin, and fisetin enhance the production of NO suppressants by B. adolescentis.…”

Effects of Probiotic Intake on Intestinal Bifidobacteria of Celiac Patients

“…The presence of bifidobacteria in the gastrointestinal tract seems to suffer variations throughout life and it is associated with beneficial effects to health, including the re-composition of the intestinal microbiota, the growth inhibition of pathogenic bacteria, regeneration of the epithelial barrier and anti-inflammatory effects (11,21,25,26,32) . Some species have the capacity of inhibiting the increased permeability induced by gliadin, weakening its cytotoxic effect and the host autoimmune response (10) .…”