Synthesis and fermentation properties of novel galacto-oligosaccharides bybeta-galactosidases from Bifidobacterium species

beta -Galactosidase enzymes were extracted from pure cultures of Bifidobact erium angulatum, B, bifidum BB-12, B, adolescentis ANB-7, B, infantis DSM-2 0088, and B, pseudolongum DSM-20099 and used in glycosyl transfer reactions to synthesize oligosaccharides from lactose, At a lactose concentration of 30% (wt/wt) oligosaccharide yields of 24.7 to 47.6% occurred within 7 h, E xamination of the products by thin-layer chromatography and methylation ana lysis revealed distinct product derived spectra from each enzyme. These wer e found to be different to that of Oligomate 55, a commercial prebiotic gal acto-oligosaccharide. Fermentation testing of the oligosaccharides showed a n increase in growth rate, compared to Oligomate 55, with products derived from B, angulatum, B, bifidum, B, infantis, and B, pseudolongum, However B, adolescentis had a lower growth rates on its oligosaccharide compared with Oligomate 55, Mixed culture testing of the B, bifidum BS-4 oligosaccharide showed that the overall prebiotic effect was equivalent to that of Oligoma te 55.