Effects of soybean oligosaccharides on the human gut microflora in in vitro culture

Abstract

The effect of soybean oligosaccharides on the growth of bifidobacteria, some enzymic activities and ammonia concentration of human faecal microflora was investigated using a continuous flow model. After addition of soybean oligosaccharides to the growth medium, the number of bifidobacteria, as a proportion of the total viable count in the culture, increased. Azoreductase, βglucuronidase and βglucosidase activities were decreased, but only that of azoreductase was lowered significantly by soybean oligosaccharides treatment. The enzyme activities associated with pure cultures of human faecal bacteria were assayed. The activities of azoreductase and βglucuronidase in Bifidobacterium species were almost invariably lower than those associated with other intestinal anaerobes.βGlucosidase activity however was detected in all species of bifidobacteria tested. ©1992 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.