The effect of gums on the growth of bifidobacterium longum

Abstract

Gums are complex polysaccharides such as agar, alginates, carrageenan, carboxymethyl cellulose, gelatin, guar, locust bean, methyl cellulose, pectin, starches and xanthan. They are obtained from endosperm of plant seeds, plant exudates, sea weeds, microorganisms and animal connective tissues and widely used as stabilizers, thickeners, gelling agents and fat replacers in the food industry. Some of them could also enhance the growth and viability of pro biotic bacteria. Thus the aim of this paper was to compare the growth of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum on Tryptone Peptone Yeast Extract media containing glucose, inulin, carrageenan, locust bean or xanthan gums as sole carbon sources and promote gums as promising prebiotic substances.