A bifidus factor (bifidogenic factor) is a compound that specifically enhances the growth of
bifidobacteria in either a product or in the intestines of humans and/or animals. Several products have been marketed as bifidogenic factors, such as several
prebiotics
Prebiotics are compounds in food that induce the growth or activity of beneficial microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. The most common example is in the gastrointestinal tract, where prebiotics can alter the composition of organisms in the ...
and methyl-N-acetyl D-
glucosamine
Glucosamine (C6H13NO5) is an amino sugar and a prominent precursor in the biochemical synthesis of glycosylated proteins and lipids. Glucosamine is part of the structure of two polysaccharides, chitosan and chitin. Glucosamine is one of the most ...
in human milk.
Background
Originally, fructose-based carbohydrates
inulin
Inulins are a group of naturally occurring polysaccharides produced by many types of plants, industrially most often extracted from chicory. The inulins belong to a class of dietary fibers known as fructans. Inulin is used by some plants as a m ...
and
fructooligosaccharides, showed a strong selective stimulation of bifidobacteria so a ‘
prebiotic effect’ was considered the same as a ‘bifidogenic effect.
Breast milk
Human
breast milk contains unique and highly diverse human milk
oligosaccharide
An oligosaccharide (/ˌɑlɪgoʊˈsækəˌɹaɪd/; from the Greek ὀλίγος ''olígos'', "a few", and σάκχαρ ''sácchar'', "sugar") is a saccharide polymer containing a small number (typically two to ten) of monosaccharides (simple sug ...
s. These oligosaccharides are considered to be a "Bifidus Factor" because they form highly desired intestinal bacteria; it is for this reason that baby formula contains added oligosaccharides in order to help build a child's immune system. Studies showed that infants, who were bottled fed, lacked intestinal colonization of bifidobacteria. This lack of bacteria made the babies susceptible to other infectious bacteria and ailments. The infants who were breast fed had higher concentration of the bacteria and their vulnerability too infections was significantly lower. Breast milk had high amounts of oligosaccharides. As, a result, oligosaccharides were added to milk formula. This method worked and the colonization of bifidobacteria leveled. This suggested that the oligosaccharides found in human milk were candidates for the bifidus factor.
Composition and function
The bifidus factor might be lacto-N-biose I
NB which is a derivative of
mucin
Mucins () are a family of high molecular weight, heavily glycosylated proteins (glycoconjugates) produced by epithelial tissues in most animals. Mucins' key characteristic is their ability to form gels; therefore they are a key component in most ...
sugars. However, the exact structure and mechanism behind the bifidus factor remains unknown.
The bacteria would break down lactic acid and acetic acid. The environment of the intestine would become acidic, preventing the growth of any harmful pathogens. The function of LBN is unknown and it is possible that oligosaccharides with terminals of Galβ1-3GlcNAc are the bifidus factors.
Bifidobacteria might suppress infections in infants and children.
References
Other sources
*O'Callaghan, Amy; van Sinderen, Douwe (2016). Bifidobacteria and Their Role as Members of the Human Gut Microbiota. Frontiers in Microbiology, 7,
*Paul György; Robert F. Norris; Catharine S. Rose (1954). Bifidus factor. I. A variant of Lactobacillus bifidus requiring a special growth factor, 48 (1), 193–201.
Bifidobacteriales
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