The protective effects of high amylose maize (amylomaize) starch granules on the survival of Bifidobacterium spp. in the mouse intestinal tract

The possibility of using high amylose maize starch granules as a delivery s ystem for probiotic bacteria has been investigated using Bifidobacterium sp p. Lafti(TM) 8B and Lafti(TM) 13B which were isolated from a healthy human. The Bifidobacterium cells were able to adhere to the amylomaize starch gra nules and were also able to hydrolyse the starch during growth. Initially, in vitro studies were carried out by studying the survival of strains Bifid obacterium Lafti(TM) 8B and Lafti(TM) 13B when exposed to pH 2.3, 3.5 and 6 .5 as well as 0.03 and 0.05% w/v bile acids. Both strains were grown either in the absence or presence of high amylose maize starch granules, then mix ed with the high amylose maize starch granules and exposed to acidic buffer s or bile acid solutions. It was shown that growth in and the presence of h igh amylose maize starch granules led to enhanced survival of strains Lafti (TM) 8B and Lafti(TM) 13B. Subsequently, survival in vivo was monitored by measuring the faecal level of Bifidobacterium Lafti(TM) 8B after oral admin istration of the strain to mice. A sixfold better recovery of strain Lafti( TM) 8B from mice faeces after oral dosage was noted for cells grown in amyl ose-containing medium compared with controls. It was concluded that high am ylose maize starch granules contributed to enhanced survival of Bifidobacte rium sp. Lafti(TM) 8B and Lafti(TM) 13B.