Investigation of impact of salep powder on growth of some bifidobacterium species

In this study, the influence of salep powder obtained from Orchideae species grown in Kastamonu region, on the growth of Bifidobacterium species in vitro condition system was investigated.Bifidobacterium species used for the study was activated using basal growth medium and tryptone peptone yeast extract (TPY) according to the procedures defined by the processor. Stock solution of salep powder was prepared at a concentrational (w/v) 2,5 % and filter-sterilized using Millipore filter-sterilization system. Sterile substrate solutions at final concentrations 0,5; 1; 2 and activated Bifidobacterium species (2 %) were added to TPY broth medium and incubated at 37°C for 48 h-1. Samples were taken from cultures grown on basal medium supplemented with salep powder at 0., 12., 24., 36. and 48. hours of prebiotic fermentation. Furthermore, a solution containing no carbonhydrate and a solution with 1 % glucose were used as control samples. For each sample; pH, optic density (OD600), prebiotic activity score (PAS), spesific growth rate (µ), short chain fatty acids (SCFA) (g/L) content and lactic acid to total SCFA value were determined.By the addition of salep powder to TPY broth; growth of Bifidobacterium species were stimulated; the pH values were decreased during prebiotic fermentation whereas cell density values were increased. The lowest value of pH and the highest value of cell density results were obtained from TPY medium at the presence of B. infantis. The predominant short chain fatty acids produced during prebiotic fermentation were lactic and acetic acids followed by propionic and butiric acids. The highest production of short chain fatty acid among Bifidobacterium species were determined at TPY broth containing B. infantis (p< 0,01).On the basis of data obtained salep powder seem to present potential prebiotic activity with stimulated growth of Bifidobacterium species, however, more studies on prebiotic useof salep need to be performed.