In vitro and in silico Evaluation of Fructo-Oligosaccharide and Galacto-Oligosaccharide Utilisation by Bifidobacterium breve Strain BS2-PS1
Abstract
A novel Bifidobacterium breve strain, BS2-PS1, was recently isolated from human breast milk. As prebiotics are essential for the growth and functionality of various beneficial bacteria, potentials of two frequently studied prebiotics to date, i.e., galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) and fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS), were compared in supporting the growth of B. breve BS2-PS1. A combination of in vitro and in silico approaches was utilized in this study. The utilisation of GOS significantly enhanced the growth of B. breve BS2-PS1 compared to the controls, while FOS moderately increased its growth rate. Whole-genome sequencing of strain BS2-PS1 confirmed that it belonged to B. breve and revealed the presence of glycoside hydrolase families in its genome capable of hydrolysing β-glycosidic bonds in oligosaccharides. Enzymes responsible for the breakdown of GOS, i.e., β-galactosidase (GH42), and FOS, i.e., β-fructofuranosidase (GH32), were indeed identified in the genome of B. breve BS2-PS1. In conclusion, both in silico and in vitro analyses suggest that B. breve BS2-PS1 may serve as a valuable candidate for symbiotic strategies that ultimately aimed at improving human health.
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