Growth of various intestinal bacteria on alternansucrase-derived oligosaccharides.

AIMS To determine whether alternansucrase (ASR)-derived oligosaccharides can support the in vitro growth of various intestinal bacteria. METHODS AND RESULTS Growth was assessed from each culture after incubation in a medium containing ASR-derived oligosaccharide as sole carbohydrate source. Most of the Bifidobacterium spp. tested showed growth on all five of the oligosaccharides tested while the Lactobacillus spp., Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, coliforms and pathogenic bacteria displayed no or little growth. CONCLUSIONS The ASR-derived oligosaccharides were selectively utilized by many of the Bifidobacterium spp. tested but did not support significant growth of the Lactobacillus spp., Bact. thetaiotaomicron, coliforms and pathogenic bacteria tested. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY Alternansucrase-derived oligosaccharides are a potential source of new prebiotics.