Bifidobacteria research
Probiotic properties of bifidobacteria
Category: Bacteria
from Maddalena Rossi and Alberto Amaretti in Bifidobacteria: Genomics and Molecular Aspects
Bifidobacteria are major components of the indigenous bacterial population present in the human gut and are arguably most relevant to the health-promoting properties that have been attributed to elements of this microbiota. They exert a range of beneficial health effects, including the regulation of intestinal microbial homeostasis, the inhibition of pathogens and harmful bacteria that colonize and/or infect the gut mucosa, the modulation of local and systemic immune responses, the repression of procarcinogenic enzymatic activities within the microbiota, the production of vitamins, and the bioconversion of a number of dietary compounds into bioactive molecules. Health-promoting properties of members of the genus Bifidobacterium have been reported but research is still necessary for an in depth understanding of the probiotic function. In fact, although experimental evidence of the probiotic effectiveness of bifidobacteria has a long history, little information is available on the molecular mechanisms underlying the health-promoting claims, especially on such complex phenomena as anticarcinogenic and anti-inflammatory effects.
Further reading:
Bifidobacteria are major components of the indigenous bacterial population present in the human gut and are arguably most relevant to the health-promoting properties that have been attributed to elements of this microbiota. They exert a range of beneficial health effects, including the regulation of intestinal microbial homeostasis, the inhibition of pathogens and harmful bacteria that colonize and/or infect the gut mucosa, the modulation of local and systemic immune responses, the repression of procarcinogenic enzymatic activities within the microbiota, the production of vitamins, and the bioconversion of a number of dietary compounds into bioactive molecules. Health-promoting properties of members of the genus Bifidobacterium have been reported but research is still necessary for an in depth understanding of the probiotic function. In fact, although experimental evidence of the probiotic effectiveness of bifidobacteria has a long history, little information is available on the molecular mechanisms underlying the health-promoting claims, especially on such complex phenomena as anticarcinogenic and anti-inflammatory effects.
Further reading:
Genomics of Bifidobacteria
Category: Bacteria
from Marco Ventura, Francesca Turroni, Francesca Bottacini and Douwe van Sinderen in Bifidobacteria: Genomics and Molecular Aspects
During recent years microbiological research has been fundamentally changed by the ever increasing number of publicly available bacterial whole-genome sequences. This sequence information has largely affected our understanding of the metabolic capabilities, genetics and phylogeny of bacteria. Bifidobacteria constitute one of the key microbial groups of the human intestinal microbiota, due to their perceived positive contribution to maintain a balanced gut homeostasis. In recent years bifidobacteria have drawn much scientific attention because of their use as live bacteria in numerous food preparations with several health-related claims. For this reason these bifidobacteria represent a developing area of scientific interest with respect to genomics, molecular biology, genetics and physiology. Recent genome sequencing of different bifidobacterial species has provided the complete genetic make-up of these bacteria.
Further reading:
During recent years microbiological research has been fundamentally changed by the ever increasing number of publicly available bacterial whole-genome sequences. This sequence information has largely affected our understanding of the metabolic capabilities, genetics and phylogeny of bacteria. Bifidobacteria constitute one of the key microbial groups of the human intestinal microbiota, due to their perceived positive contribution to maintain a balanced gut homeostasis. In recent years bifidobacteria have drawn much scientific attention because of their use as live bacteria in numerous food preparations with several health-related claims. For this reason these bifidobacteria represent a developing area of scientific interest with respect to genomics, molecular biology, genetics and physiology. Recent genome sequencing of different bifidobacterial species has provided the complete genetic make-up of these bacteria.
Further reading:
Bifidobacteria
Category: Bacteria
from Bifidobacteria: Genomics and Molecular Aspects
Bifidobacteria are Gram-positive anaerobic bacteria, found naturally in the gut of humans and other mammals. They are widely used as probiotic organisms in a vast array of formulations for the prevention, alleviation and treatment of many intestinal disorders. However bifidobacteria are fastidious microorganisms and difficult to study in the laboratory, so until recently, understanding of their genetics lagged behind that of other high GC content Gram-positive bacteria. The application of modern whole genome approaches to bifidobacteria research has changed all of this, permitting the accumulation of an impressive amount of data, something that could not have been foreseen a few years ago.
Among the myriad of bacterial species that inhabit the human gut and the gut of many animals, bifidobacteria are almost certainly the microbial group that has the greatest effect on the health of the host. In most people, bifidobacteria are present in high numbers (108-109 cells/g of intestinal content) throughout their lives, although each individual permanently harbours only several species or specific biotypes. Apart from lactobacilli, bifidobacteria is the only intestinal microbial group that is generally recognized to possess such positive characteristics through its capacity to produce short chain fatty acids, vitamins, bacteriocins and antibiotic-like substances, and of exerting immunomodulating and immunostimulating activities. Moreover, the bifidobacterial species so far identified lack enzyme urease, azo- and nitro-reductase, beta-glucuronidase and alpha-dehydrolase that exert enzymatic and metabolic effects that are perceived to be toxic to the host. Consequently, bifidobacteria can be considered as valuable probiotics and today they are not only used in the food industry to relieve and treat many intestinal disorders, but they are increasingly attracting the scientific interest of clinicians and researchers.
Further reading:
Bifidobacteria are Gram-positive anaerobic bacteria, found naturally in the gut of humans and other mammals. They are widely used as probiotic organisms in a vast array of formulations for the prevention, alleviation and treatment of many intestinal disorders. However bifidobacteria are fastidious microorganisms and difficult to study in the laboratory, so until recently, understanding of their genetics lagged behind that of other high GC content Gram-positive bacteria. The application of modern whole genome approaches to bifidobacteria research has changed all of this, permitting the accumulation of an impressive amount of data, something that could not have been foreseen a few years ago.
Among the myriad of bacterial species that inhabit the human gut and the gut of many animals, bifidobacteria are almost certainly the microbial group that has the greatest effect on the health of the host. In most people, bifidobacteria are present in high numbers (108-109 cells/g of intestinal content) throughout their lives, although each individual permanently harbours only several species or specific biotypes. Apart from lactobacilli, bifidobacteria is the only intestinal microbial group that is generally recognized to possess such positive characteristics through its capacity to produce short chain fatty acids, vitamins, bacteriocins and antibiotic-like substances, and of exerting immunomodulating and immunostimulating activities. Moreover, the bifidobacterial species so far identified lack enzyme urease, azo- and nitro-reductase, beta-glucuronidase and alpha-dehydrolase that exert enzymatic and metabolic effects that are perceived to be toxic to the host. Consequently, bifidobacteria can be considered as valuable probiotics and today they are not only used in the food industry to relieve and treat many intestinal disorders, but they are increasingly attracting the scientific interest of clinicians and researchers.
Further reading: