Effect of various lipids found in human milk on the growth of infant Bifidobacteria

Abstract

The effect of fatty acids, monoglycerides, diglycerides and triglycerides (present or able to be generated in human milk by lipase activity) on the growth of anaerobic Bifidobacterium bifidum types a and b, Bifidobacterium infantis sp. infantis types a and b, and facultative Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium were determined turbidimetrically. The fatty acids and monoglycerides tested inhibited the growth of the Bifidobacteria while the gram-negative E. coli and S. typhimurium proved more resistant. Triglycerides were not inhibitory to the bacteria tested, with some actually enhancing growth. Monolaurin and 2-monopalmitin proved to be the most potent inhibitors of Bifidobacteria growth in the concentration ranges used. © 1981, Applied Microbiology, Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Research Foundation. All rights reserved.