In vitro kinetic analysis of fermentation of prebiotic inulin-type fructans by Bifidobacterium species reveals four different phenotypes

The bacterial growth, carbohydrate consumption and metabolite production of Bifidobacterium strains grown on fructose, oligofructose or inulin are kinetically analyzed. The variations have shown niche-specific adaptation of bifidobacteria and have in vivo implications on the strain specificity of the stimulatory effect of inulin-type fructans on bifidobacteria.