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Prebiotic evaluation of a novel galactooligosaccharide mixture produced by the enzymatic activity of Bifidobacterium bifidum NCIMB 41171, in healthy humans: a randomized, double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled intervention study^1,2,3

¹ From the School of Food Biosciences, The University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom (GT, JV, and GRG), and the Institute of Food Research, Colney, Norwich, United Kingdom (FD and KI'A)

Background: Galactooligosaccharides are selectively fermented by the beneficial member of the colonic microflora contributing to the health of the host.

Objective: We assessed the prebiotic potential of a novel galactooligosaccharide produced through the action of β-galactosidases, originating from a probiotic Bifidobacterium bifidum strain, against a galactooligosaccharide produced through the action of an industrial β-galactosidase and a placebo.

Design: Fifty-nine healthy human volunteers participated in this study. Initially, the effect of the matrix on the prebiotic properties of a commercially available galactooligosaccharide (7 g/d) was assessed during 7-d treatment periods with a 7-d washout period in between. During the second phase, 30 volunteers were assigned to a sequence of treatments (7 d) differing in the amount of the novel galactooligosaccharide (0, 3.6, or 7 g/d). Stools were recovered before and after each intervention, and bacteria numbers were determined by fluorescent in situ hybridization.

Results: Addition of the novel galactooligosaccharide mixture significantly increased the bifidobacterial population ratio compared with the placebo (P < 0.05), whereas 7 g/d of the novel galactooligosaccharide significantly increased the bifidobacterial ratio compared with the commercial galactooligosaccharide (P < 0.05). Moreover, a significant relation (P < 0.001) between the bifidobacteria proportion and the novel galactooligosaccharide dose (0, 3.6, and 7 g/d) was observed. This relation was similar to the effect of the novel galactooligosaccharide on the prebiotic index of each dose.

Conclusions: This study showed that galactooligosaccharide mixtures produced with different β-galactosidases show different prebiotic properties and that, by using enzymes originating from bifidobacterial species, an increase in the bifidogenic properties of the prebiotic product is achievable.

Key Words: Bifidobacterium • galactooligosaccharides • prebiotic • human fecal flora • intestinal microflora • functional food

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