In Vitro Assessment of Prebiotic Activity

Bifidogenic effect is a main target for the assessment of prebiotic activity. pH-controlled batch processes of bifidobacteria and fecal microbiota are herein presented. Growth of bifidobacteria, carbohydrate breakdown and consumption, organic acid production, and activity of specific glycosyl hydrolases involved inthe hydrolysis of di-, oligo-, or polysaccharides are exploited to study and compare substrate preference of bifidobacteria for candidate prebiotics.