Effect of prebiotics on bifidobacterial species isolated from infant faeces

Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of prebiotics on the growth of bifidobacterial species isolated from the faeces of breast fed infants. Identification of isolates to the genus level was based on phenotypic characteristics like the unique pleomorphic morphology and carbohydrates fermentation profile. Molecular tools like species specific mPCR primers were used for confirmation. A total of 4 isolates were identified namely <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">B. longum</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">(</i>IB₁₀ and IB₁₂), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">B. breve</i> (IB₃₉)and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">B. bifidum (</i>IB₄₂). Addition of 4 % WPC was used to enhance the growth of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Bifidobacteria</i> in bovine whey. Prebiotics like inulin and honey at 0.4 and 3 %, respectively were adjudged as the optimum level for exerting maximum prebiotic activity on all the four bifidobacterial isolates.