Bifidobacteria and inulin-type fructans which stimulate their growth
Jedrzejczak-Krzepkowska, M.; Bielecki, S.ła.
Postepy Biochemii 57(4): 392-400
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 0032-5422 PMID: 22568171 Document Number: 652413
Both Bifidobacteria and carbohydrates they metabolize have attracted attention of food and pharmaceutical industries for several decades. Extensive research on bifidobacteria is dictated by the growing knowledge about the role of these microorganisms in the environment which they dwell. This paper summarizes the current state of knowledge on bifidobacteria and inulin type fructans they ferment. The first part of the article contains description of bifidobacteria, including their occurrence and the documented, beneficial impact on human health. The characterization of inulin-type fructans, including their structure and occurrence, and enzymes which hydrolyze beta-(2,1)-glycosidic bonds in fructans as well as different activities of bifidobacteria in degradation of these sugars are described in the second part.