In vitro fermentability of a commercial wheat germ preparation and its impact on the growth of bifidobacteria
2002
Arrigoni, E. | Jorger, F. | Kolloffel, B. | Roulet, I. | Herensperger, M. | Meile, L. | Amado, R.
The wheat germ product Biogerm was enzymatically digested and subjected to small scale in vitro fermentations with fresh human faeces under anaerobic conditions. Raftiline and lactulose served each as a control substrate in parallel fermentations. Total gas and short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production from Biogerm was found to be slower within the first few hours compared to the control substrates, but reached similar end values after 24 h. Moreover, the SCFA pattern of Biogerm was characterised by high propionate proportions. In order to investigate the effect of Biogerm on the growth of bifidobacteria, total bacteria and bifidobacteria were enumerated by in situ hybridisation techniques. The wheat germ preparation increased the proportion of bifidobacteria from 15 up to 24% of total bacteria in the faecal matter. Conclusively, Biogerm has an impact on the growth of bifidobacteria in an in vitro environment containing the human faecal microflora.
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