Metabolism of chicory fructooligosaccharides by bifidobacteria

Two types of chicory fructooligosaccharides (Fibruline Instant and Fibrulos e F97) were metabolised by Bifidobacterium longum, B. infantis and B. angul atum. Chromatographic analysis of the medium after 120 h revealed a consump tion of all the fructose oligomers present in the commercial chicory fructo oligosaccharide mixtures for all the strains. Maximum measurable degree of polymerisation of the substrates before fermentation was 41. The higher bio mass production was reached with B. infantis (1.4 and 1.7 g dry wt l(-1)) f or its cultivation on medium complemented, respectively, with Fibruline Ins tant and Fibrulose F97 as substrate. These results give the opportunity to use chicory fructooligosaccharides as a prebiotic.