Reference Number: 512
Year: 2016
Link: Link to original paper
Health: Colitis | Constipation | Crohns | Gut Microbiome - Creating Healthier Bread to Support Optimal Gut Health | IBS | Immune response | Inflammation
Nutrition: Probiotic
Yeast: Prevalence | Species
Summary
Members of the genus Bifidobacterium are among the first microbes to colonize the human gastrointestinal tract and are believed to exert positive health benefits on their host. Due to their purported health-promoting properties, bifidobacteria have been incorporated into many functional foods as active ingredients. Bifidobacteria naturally occur in a range of ecological niches that are either directly or indirectly connected to the animal gastrointestinal tract, such as the human oral cavity, the insect gut and sewage. To be able to survive in these particular ecological niches, bifidobacteria must possess specific adaptations to be competitive. Determination of genome sequences has revealed genetic attributes that may explain bifidobacterial ecological fitness, such as metabolic abilities, evasion of the host adaptive immune system and colonization of the host through specific appendages. However, genetic modification is crucial toward fully elucidating the mechanisms by which bifidobacteria exert their adaptive abilities and beneficial properties. In this review we provide an up to date summary of the general features of bifidobacteria, whilst paying particular attention to the metabolic abilities of this species. We also describe methods that have allowed successful genetic manipulation of bifidobacteria.
Significance of this study to the baker:
We all have our own unique gut microbiome’s and we all want to have a good level of this family of probiotic microbes called Bifidobacterium. This study gives an overview of the incredible benefits we gain from this widely studied gut bacterium. Our sourdough bakes provide the prebiotic fibres which enable Bifidobacterium to thrive in our own ecosystems.