Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K31/00—Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
  • A61K31/70—Carbohydrates; Sugars; Derivatives thereof
  • A61K31/702—Oligosaccharides, i.e. having three to five saccharide radicals attached to each other by glycosidic linkages
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PREPARATION OR TREATMENT THEREOF
  • A23L29/00—Foods or foodstuffs containing additives; Preparation or treatment thereof
  • A23L29/30—Foods or foodstuffs containing additives; Preparation or treatment thereof containing carbohydrate syrups; containing sugars; containing sugar alcohols, e.g. xylitol; containing starch hydrolysates, e.g. dextrin
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PREPARATION OR TREATMENT THEREOF
  • A23L33/00—Modifying nutritive qualities of foods; Dietetic products; Preparation or treatment thereof
  • A23L33/10—Modifying nutritive qualities of foods; Dietetic products; Preparation or treatment thereof using additives
  • A23L33/125—Modifying nutritive qualities of foods; Dietetic products; Preparation or treatment thereof using additives containing carbohydrate syrups; containing sugars; containing sugar alcohols; containing starch hydrolysates
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PREPARATION OR TREATMENT THEREOF
  • A23L33/00—Modifying nutritive qualities of foods; Dietetic products; Preparation or treatment thereof
  • A23L33/10—Modifying nutritive qualities of foods; Dietetic products; Preparation or treatment thereof using additives
  • A23L33/135—Bacteria or derivatives thereof, e.g. probiotics
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PREPARATION OR TREATMENT THEREOF
  • A23L33/00—Modifying nutritive qualities of foods; Dietetic products; Preparation or treatment thereof
  • A23L33/20—Reducing nutritive value; Dietetic products with reduced nutritive value
  • A23L33/21—Addition of substantially indigestible substances, e.g. dietary fibres
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PREPARATION OR TREATMENT THEREOF
  • A23L33/00—Modifying nutritive qualities of foods; Dietetic products; Preparation or treatment thereof
  • A23L33/40—Complete food formulations for specific consumer groups or specific purposes, e.g. infant formula
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PREPARATION OR TREATMENT THEREOF
  • A23L5/00—Preparation or treatment of foods or foodstuffs, in general; Food or foodstuffs obtained thereby; Materials therefor
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K35/00—Medicinal preparations containing materials or reaction products thereof with undetermined constitution
  • A61K35/66—Microorganisms or materials therefrom
  • A61K35/74—Bacteria
  • A61K35/741—Probiotics
  • A61K35/744—Lactic acid bacteria, e.g. enterococci, pediococci, lactococci, streptococci or leuconostocs
  • A61K35/745—Bifidobacteria
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides
  • A61K38/16—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
  • A61K38/43—Enzymes; Proenzymes; Derivatives thereof
  • A61K38/46—Hydrolases (3)
  • A61K38/47—Hydrolases (3) acting on glycosyl compounds (3.2), e.g. cellulases, lactases
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K9/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by special physical form
  • A61K9/0087—Galenical forms not covered by A61K9/02 - A61K9/7023
  • A61K9/0095—Drinks; Beverages; Syrups; Compositions for reconstitution thereof, e.g. powders or tablets to be dispersed in a glass of water; Veterinary drenches
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P1/00—Drugs for disorders of the alimentary tract or the digestive system
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P1/00—Drugs for disorders of the alimentary tract or the digestive system
  • A61P1/04—Drugs for disorders of the alimentary tract or the digestive system for ulcers, gastritis or reflux esophagitis, e.g. antacids, inhibitors of acid secretion, mucosal protectants
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P1/00—Drugs for disorders of the alimentary tract or the digestive system
  • A61P1/06—Anti-spasmodics, e.g. drugs for colics, esophagic dyskinesia
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P1/00—Drugs for disorders of the alimentary tract or the digestive system
  • A61P1/10—Laxatives
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P1/00—Drugs for disorders of the alimentary tract or the digestive system
  • A61P1/12—Antidiarrhoeals
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P1/00—Drugs for disorders of the alimentary tract or the digestive system
  • A61P1/14—Prodigestives, e.g. acids, enzymes, appetite stimulants, antidyspeptics, tonics, antiflatulents
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P35/00—Antineoplastic agents
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
  • C12Y—ENZYMES
  • C12Y302/00—Hydrolases acting on glycosyl compounds, i.e. glycosylases (3.2)
  • C12Y302/01—Glycosidases, i.e. enzymes hydrolysing O- and S-glycosyl compounds (3.2.1)
  • C12Y302/01108—Lactase (3.2.1.108)
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PREPARATION OR TREATMENT THEREOF
  • A23L7/00—Cereal-derived products; Malt products; Preparation or treatment thereof
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23V—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND LACTIC OR PROPIONIC ACID BACTERIA USED IN FOODSTUFFS OR FOOD PREPARATION
  • A23V2002/00—Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K35/00—Medicinal preparations containing materials or reaction products thereof with undetermined constitution
  • A61K2035/11—Medicinal preparations comprising living procariotic cells
  • A61K2035/115—Probiotics

Definitions

• the human gastrointestinal tract hosts a large bacterial population of 500- 1000 different phylotypes that reside in the colon (Ninonuevo, M. R., et al. 2007 Anal Biochem 361,15-23).
• Bifidobacterial species are the predominant microbial in the infant GIT, exerting beneficial effects to their host such us immuno-stimulation, human pathogen inhibition, vitamin production, and anticarcinogenic activity, among others (Harmsen, H. J., et al. 2000 J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 30:61-7; Casci, T., et al. 2007 Human Gut microflora in Health and Disease: Focus on Prebiotics. In Functional food and Biotechnology.
• GOS are of particular interest in confectionary acidic beverage and fermented milk formulations as they possess increased thermal stability in acidic environments compared to FOS (Watanuki, M., et al. 1996 Ann Report Yakult Central Inst Microbiol Res 16, 1-12).
• FOS Fluorous Cellular System
• GOS have also had an increasing application in human food products, including dairy products, sugar replacements and other diet supplements as well as infant formula (Macfarlane, G.T., Steed H., Macfarlane S. 2008 Journal of Applied Microbiology 104, 305 ⁇ 4).
• GOS galactosidases
• Angus, F., supra the basic structure of GOS includes a lactose core at the reducing end which is elongated typically with up to six galactose residues.
• GOS structural diversity dependents on the enzyme used in the trans- galactosylation reaction, and the experimental conditions such as pH and temperature (Dumortier, V., et al .1990. Carbohydr Res 201: 115-23.).
• compositions for stimulating growth of particular Bifidobateria comprise galacto-oligosaccharides, wherein at least 45% of the galacto-oligosaccharides by weight are tetra or penta galacto- oligosaccharides or wherein at least 25% of the galacto-oligosaccharides by weight are tetra galacto-oligosaccharides.
• the compositions comprise galacto- oligosaccharides, wherein at least 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 75%, or 80% of the galacto- oligosaccharides by weight are tetra or penta galacto-oligosaccharides.
• the composition has less than 20% by weight of dimeric galacto-oligosaccharides based on weight of the total oligosaccharides.
• the composition has less than 10% by weight of dimeric galacto- oligosaccharides based on weight of the total oligosaccharides.
• the composition has less than 5% by weight of monomeric sugars based on total sugar and oligosaccharide solids.
• the composition has less than 5% by weight of lactose , based on weight of the total oligosaccharides.
• the composition comprises a lactase enzyme (e.g., an encapsulated lactase that is degraded when ingested).
• a lactase enzyme e.g., an encapsulated lactase that is degraded when ingested.
• the composition has less than 20% (e.g., less than 10%) by weight of dimeric galacto-oligosaccharides, and/or less than 5% by weight of monomeric galacto-oligosaccharides and/or less than 5% lactose.
• the composition is a food product or dietary supplement product.
• the food product is selected from the group consisting of an infant formula, a follow-on formula, and a toddler beverage.
• less than 10% of the galacto-oligosaccharides by weight have a degree of polymerization of 6 or greater.
• less than 10% of the galacto-oligosaccharides by weight are trimeric galacto-oligosaccharides .
• more than 30% of the galacto-oligosaccharides by weight are trimeric galacto-oligosaccharides.
• the compositions are prepared by a method comprising the step of treating a mixed galacto-oligosaccharide solution (GOS) to reduce monomeric, dimeric and/or trimeric sugars.
• GOS galacto-oligosaccharide solution
• the monomeric, dimeric and/or trimeric sugars are removed by size exclusion or enzymatically, or by selective microbial consumption of particular sugars or oligosaccharides.
• the composition further comprises Bifidobacterium breve or Bifidobacterium longum bv. infantis.
• the present invention also provides methods for stimulating beneficial Bifidobacterium microflora in an animal.
• the method comprises administering a sufficient amount of the compositions described above or elsewhere herein to the animal to stimulate colonization of the gut of the animal by at least one beneficial Bifidobacterium strain.
• the strain is a strain of Bifidobacterium breve or Bifidobacterium longum bv. infantis.
• the animal is a human. In some embodiments, the animal is a non-human mammal.
• the human is less than 5 years old. In some embodiments , the human is over 50 years old. In some embodiments, the human has a condition selected from the group consisting of inflammatory bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhea, colitis, Crohn's disease, colon cancer, functional bowel disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, and excess sulfate reducing bacteria.
• the "degree of polymerization" or "DP" of a galacto-oligosaccharide refers to the total number of sugar monomer units that are part of a particular oligosaccharide.
• a tetra galacto-oligosaccharide has a DP of 4, having 3 galactose moieties and one glucose moiety.
• Bifidobacteria and its synonyms refer to a genus of anaerobic bacteria having beneficial properties for humans. Bifidobacteria is one of the major strains of bacteria that make up the gut flora, the bacteria that reside in the gastrointestinal tract and have health benefits for their hosts. See, e.g., Guarner F and Malagelada JR. Lancet (2003) 361, 512-519, for a further description of Bifidobacteria in the normal gut flora.
• a "prebiotic” or “prebiotic nutrient” is generally a non-digestible food ingredient that beneficially affects a host when ingested by selectively stimulating the growth and/or the activity of one or a limited number of bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract.
• prebiotic refers to the above described non-digestible food ingredients in their non- naturally occurring states, e.g., after purification, chemical or enzymatic synthesis as opposed to, for instance, in whole human milk.
• a “probiotic” refers to live microorganisms that when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host.
• Figure 1 Positive MALDI-FTICR ion spectra of syrup GOS. Major peaks correspond to sodium coordinated ions showing the degree of polymerization of GOS. Minor signals observed at 18 mass units less could correspond to B-type fragments.
• FIG. 1 Positive MALDI-FTICR ion spectrum of GOS-Bio-Gel P-2 fractions. a,b,c,d, and e are fractions (ml) 45, 56, 67, 74, and 82, respectively. Signals with m/z values 527, 689, 851, 1013, 1175, 1337, 1449, 1662, 1824, 1966, 2148, 2310, and 2473 represent sodium coordinated galacto-oligosaccharides with a DP ranging from 3 to 15. [0031] Figure 3. IRMPD MALDI-FTICR spectra of GOS. A, B and C correspond to galactooligosaccharides with DP 5, 4 and 3, respectively. Fragments ions corresponding to glycosidic-bond cleavages (Hex) and cross-ring cleavages (60, 90 and 120) were obtained.
• Figure 4 Positive MALDI-FTICR spectra of pGOS with selected DP used in bifidobacterial fermentation experiments.
• Figure 5. Growth of B. adolescentis, B. breve, B. longum bv. Infantis, and B. longum bv. longum on modified MRS containing: A) 0.5%, B) 1%, C) 1.5% and D) 2% (w:v) of pGOS.
• Figure 6 Positive MALDI-FTICR MS ion spectum of remaining pGOS purified from supernatants of bifidobacterial culture growth on mMRS containing 0.5% pGOS.
• Bifidobacterium adolescentis B.breve
• C B. longum bv. Infantis
• D B. longum bv. longum.
• Galacto-oligosaccharides are carbohydrates that possess prebiotic properties and that are non-digestible by humans.
• the present invention is based in part on the discovery that particular Bifidobacterium species or subspecies consume galacto-oligosaccharide polymers having a specific degree of polymerization (DP) but do not significantly consume other DPs.
• DP degree of polymerization
• the invention provides for galacto-oligosaccharide compositions specifically designed to preferentially stimulate growth of specific Bifidobacterium species or subspecies in humans or other animals relative to other enteric bacteria.
• the galacto-oligosaccharide compositions of the invention can comprise the galacto-oligosaccharides themselves as well as optionally other components as desired for a particular use.
• the galacto-oligosaccharide compositions are synthetic (e.g., are generated by purified enzymatic reactions or as part of a human-directed fermentation process), and in some embodiments are purified.
• the galacto- oligosaccharides can be combined with various ingredients to manufacture food stuffs and food supplements including, for example, infant formulas.
• the compositions can further optionally comprise beneficial bacteria, notably particular Bifidobacterium species or subspecies.
• Galacto-oligosaccharides refer to straight or branched polymers of galactose. Generally, galacto-oligosaccharides are made up solely of galactose units with the exception that the terminal sugar is glucose. Galacto-oligosaccharides can therefore be represented by the formula GaI-(GaI) n -GIc, where Gal is a galactose residue, GIc is a glucose residue, and n is an integer of zero or greater.
• the present invention provides for GOS compositions that are enriched for particular DPs that can be used to preferentially stimulate growth of specific Bifidobacteria. For example, the following summarizes some of the findings of the inventors:
• Infant-borne Bifidobacteria e.g., B. breve and B. longum bv infantis growth can be preferentially stimulated (e.g., relative to other enteric bacteria including other Bifidobacteria) using GOS that is enriched for DP 4-5 galacto- oligosaccharides.
• B. longum bv. infantis and B. adolescentis species growth can be preferentially stimulated using GOS that is enriched for DP 3 galacto-oligosaccharides.
• galacto-oligosaccharides of DP 4-5 are consumed by Bifidobacteria typically found in infants, e.g., Bifidobacteria infantis or breve.
• compositions of the present invention comprise galacto-oligosaccharides, wherein at least 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50% of the galacto-oligosaccharides by weight are tetra galacto-oligosaccharides and/or optionally at least 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50% of the galacto-oligosaccharides by weight are penta galacto-oligosaccharides. All composition percentages as provided herein, unless indicated otherwise, are determined by mass spectrometry (e.g., MALDI-FTICR as described in the Examples).
• the compositions of the present invention comprise galacto-oligosaccharides, wherein at least 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90% of the galacto-oligosaccharides by weight are DP4-5 galacto-oligosaccharides. These embodiments are useful, for example, for enriching for Bifidobacteria infantis or breve.
• the compositions have less than 10% or less than 5% of monomeric sugars (e.g., galactose) and/or less than 10% or less than 5% of lactose and/or optionally less than 10% or less than 5% of dimeric galacto-oligosaccharides.
• compositions also have less than 10% or less than 5% of trimeric (DP3) galacto- oligosaccharides.
• a percentage of a particular DP refers to the amount by weight of the particular DP relative to the weight of total sugars (including galactose monomers) in the composition.
• compositions are enriched for DP 3-6, i.e., including trimeric, galacto-oligosaccharides.
• at least 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90% of the sugars in the composition are galacto-oligosaccharides having a DP of 3-6.
• Such embodiments will optionally have less than 10% or less than 5% of monomeric sugars (e.g., galactose) and optionally less than 10% or less than 5% of dimeric galacto-oligosaccharides.
• compositions of the invention can include supplements of lactose as well as other sugars or vitamins as well as other components, including but not limited to, Bifidobacteria species and subspecies as described herein.
• compositions can also be selected to have low or no galacto-oligosaccharides of DP 6 or above.
• the compositions have less than 10% or less than 5% of DP 6+ galacto-oligosaccharides.
• the present invention also provides for compositions comprising galacto- oligosaccharides wherein galacto-oligosaccharides having DP 4-5 are enriched (e.g., are at least 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 30%, 40% more than) compared to the amount by weight of DP 4- 5 in a mixed galacto-oligosaccharide solution.
• a mixed galacto-oligosaccharide solution refers to a mix of galacto-oligosaccharides having different DPs, e.g., as is produced using a ⁇ -galactosidase in a transgalactosylation reaction (e.g., as described in Japanese Patent JP105109 or US Patent No.
• Exemplary mixed galacto-oligosaccharide solutions include, e.g., VivinalTM GOS (available from Friesland Foods Domo, The Netherlands).
• the enriched compositions of the invention have less than 10% or less than 5% of sugar monomers (e.g., galactose) and optionally less than 10% or less than 5% of dimeric galacto-oligosaccharides.
• the enriched compositions of the invention also have less than 10% or less than 5% of trimeric (DP3) galacto-oligosaccharides. it Galacto-oligosaccharides that enrich Bifidobacteria longum
• compositions of the present invention comprise galacto-oligosaccharides, wherein at least 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90% of the galacto-oligosaccharides by weight are DP 6-8 galacto-oligosaccharides.
• the compositions have less than 10% or less than 5% of monomeric sugars (e.g., galactose) and optionally less than 10% or less than 5% of dimeric galacto- oligosaccharides. In some embodiments, the compositions also have less than 10% or less than 5% of galacto-oligosaccharides with a DP of 3, 4, and/or 5. Any of the compositions of the invention can include supplements of lactose as well as other sugars or vitamins as other components, including but not limited to, Bifidobacteria species and subspecies as described herein.
• the present invention also provides for compositions comprising galacto- oligosaccharides wherein galacto-oligosaccharides having DP 6-8 are enriched (e.g., are at least 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 30%, 40% more than) compared to the amount by weight of DP 6- 8 in mixed galacto-oligosaccharide solutions, e.g., such as described above or as in VivinalTM GOS.
• the compositions have less than 10% or less than 5% of monomeric sugars (e.g., galactose) and optionally less than 10% or less than 5% of dimeric galacto-oligosaccharides.
• the compositions also have less than 10% or less than 5% of DP 3, 4, 5, and/or 6 galacto-oligosaccharides.
• the compositions of the present invention comprise galacto-oligosaccharides, wherein at least 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90% of the galacto-oligosaccharides by weight are DP 3 galacto-oligosaccharides.
• the compositions have less than 10% or less than 5% of sugar monomers (e.g., galactose) and optionally less than 10% or less than 5% of dimeric galacto-oligosaccharides.
• compositions also have less than 10% or less than 5% of DP 4 or greater galacto-oligosaccharides.
• Any of the compositions of the invention can include supplements of lactose as well as other sugars or vitamins as other components, including but not limited to, Bifidobacteria species and subspecies as described herein.
• the present invention also provides for compositions comprising galacto- oligosaccharides wherein galacto-oligosaccharides having DP 3 are enriched (e.g., are at least 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 30%, 40% more than) compared to the amount by weight of DP 3 in mixed galacto-oligosaccharide solutions such as described above or as in VivinalTM GOS.
• the compositions have less than 10% or less than 5% of monomeric sugars (e.g., galactose) and optionally less than 10% or less than 5% of dimeric galacto- oligosaccharides.
• galacto-oligosaccharides are produced as mixtures (known in the art as "GOS") of oligosaccharides having different degrees of polymerization (i.e., "DP" or the number of monomeric units in the polymer).
• GOS mixtures
• oligosaccharides having different degrees of polymerization i.e., "DP” or the number of monomeric units in the polymer.
• galacto-oligosaccharides are synthesized enzymatically from monomeric or dimeric sugars.
• Galacto-oligosaccharides can be produced, for example, from lactose syrup using the transgalactosylase activity of the enzyme ⁇ -galactosidase (Crittenden, (1999) Probiotics: A Critical Review. Tannock, G.(ed) Horizon Scientific Press, Wymondham, pp.
• GOS production methods include, e.g., production of galacto-oligosaccharide by treating lactose with beta-galactosidase derived from Bacillus circulans (see, e.g., Japanese Patent JP 105109 and production by the reaction between lactose and beta- galactosidase from Aspergillus oryzae (see, e.g., US 4,957,860). See also, e.g., Ito et ah, Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease, 3, 285-292 (1990).
• a related method utilizes the ⁇ -galactosidase of Bifidobacterium bifidum NCJJVIB 41171 to synthesize prebiotic galacto- oligosaccharides ⁇ see, Tzortzis et al, Appl. Micro, and Biotech. (2005), 68:412-416).
• Commercial GOS products are also available that generally and generally include a wide spectrum of different-sized galacto-oligosaccharides.
• the compositions of the present invention can be generated by obtaining a GOS mixture containing a variety of different-sized galacto-oligosaccharides and then reducing the proportion of galacto-oligosaccharides having a DP that is not desired.
• galacto-oligosaccharides having a DP of 1, 1-2, 1-3, etc. can be reduced, for example, by size exclusion technology, enzymatic degradation, selective microbial consumption or a combination thereof.
• An example of selective microbial consumption is the use of Kluyveromyces lactis or other Kluyveromyces species to selectively consume DP2 sugars, for example.
• enzymatic methods can be used to synthesize the galacto-oligosaccharides of the present invention.
• any oligosaccharide biosynthetic enzyme or catabolic enzyme that converts a substrate into any of the target DP of the galacto-oligosaccharide(or their intermediates) may be used in the practice of this invention.
• prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides have been synthesized from lactose using the ⁇ -galactosidase from L. reuteri ⁇ see, Splechtna et al, J. Agricultural and Food Chemistry (2006), 54: 4999-5006).
• the reaction employed is known as transgalactosylation, whereby the enzyme ⁇ - galactosidase hydrolyzes lactose, and, instead of transferring the galactose unit to the hydroxyl group of water, the enzyme transfers galactose to another carbohydrate to result in oligosaccharides with a higher degree of polymerization (Vandamme and Soetaert, FEMS Microbiol. Rev. (1995), 16:163-186).
• the transgalactosylation reaction can proceed intermolecularly or intramolecularly. Intramolecular or direct galactosyl transfer to D- glucose yields regioisomers of lactose.
• di-, tri-, and tetra saccharides and eventually higher oligosaccharides specific to Bifidobacteria can produced and subsequently purified as desired.
• the galacto-oligosaccharide compositions of the invention can be made by contacting a first solution comprising lactose with a lactase (e.g., a transferase type of lactase) to convert at least part of the lactose into oligosaccharides, resulting in a second solution of oligosaccharides and lactose, contacting the second solution with a lactase (e.g., a hydrolytic type of lactase) , and optionally separating monomeric or other sugars (e.g., lactose, dimeric sugars) from the solution.
• a lactase e.g., a transferase type of lactase
• the galacto- oligosaccharide composition will comprise lactose and the composition is formulated to comprise one or more lactase (e.g., an encapsulated lactase that is degraded following ingestion, thereby allowing for relase of the lactase and digestion of the lactose).
• lactase e.g., an encapsulated lactase that is degraded following ingestion, thereby allowing for relase of the lactase and digestion of the lactose.
• the process for the preparation of the claimed galactose- oligosaccharides compositions can comprise the following steps: 1. Incubation of a lactose containing solution under proper conditions with a ⁇ - galactosidase preparation.
• the ⁇ -galactosidase preparation can be characterized by containing (optionally only) enzymes that have high transgalactosidase activity (transferase type lactases such as provided by the ⁇ -galactosidases derived from Aspergillus oryzae, Bacillus circulans, Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus).
• the ⁇ - galactosidase preparation may also consist of a mixture of such ⁇ -galactosidases.
• Reaction conditions can be optimized for the ⁇ -galactosidase enzyme preparation. In some embodiments, the reaction is allowed to proceed until no significant additional formation of oligosaccharides is observed.
• ⁇ -galactosidase preparation that shows high hydrolytic activity (a hydrolytic type lactase) such as lactases derived from Kluyveromyces lactis, Kluyveromyces fragilis or Aspergilus niger.
• Reaction conditions can be optimized for the ⁇ - galactosidase enzyme preparation. In some embodiments, the reaction is allowed to proceed until lactose levels are at least lower than 5% of total sugars.
• the reaction mixture can then optionally be further processed as desired, including steps like heat-inactivation of the enzymes, ultra-filtration to remove enzymes and nano- filtration to reduce mono sugar concentrations.
• the final preparations may be stored as a stabilized liquid or alternatively it may be dried. Methods for stabilization and drying are known to the expert in the art.
• the second step in the process does not lead to a reduction in concentration of galacto-oligosaccharides but instead leads to an increase of yield of these components.
• a detailed process for the preparation of improved oligosaccharide compositions is provided below: An aqueous solution containing lactose (e.g., 50-400 g/L) is prepared. At this stage, cofactors like metal ions (e.g. Mg 2+ , Mn 2+ , Zn 2+ , Na + , K + , etc) may be added to improve enzyme stability in the process.
• the production method consists of three main steps.
• step 1 most of the galacto-oligosaccharides are produced.
• step 2 lactose levels are reduced below 5% of total sugars and oligosaccharide production is further increased.
• step 3 monomeric sugars are optionally removed from the oligosaccharide composition and the remaining solution is further processed into a stabilized liquid; alternatively, it may be dried using methods known to the expert in the field.
• step 1 of the process the solution is treated with a transferase type ⁇ - galactosidase.
• transferase type acid lactases may be used, and the lactose containing solution is in this case adjusted preferably to a pH between 2.5 and 5.5, using hydrochloric acid, acetic acid or any other suitable acid.
• buffer solutions such as 50 mM Na-acetate buffer or any other suitable buffer may be used to set the pH.
• acid lactase derived from Aspergillus oryzae Tolerase, DSM, The Netherlands
• any suitable other transferase type acid lactase may be added, or a combination of suitable transferase type acid lactases may be used.
• the reaction mixture can optionally be heated to any suitable temperature preferably between 30 0 C and 60 0 C.
• the optimal temperature depends on the specific lactase or combination of lactases used.
• the reaction mixture is kept at this optimal temperature for, e.g., 2-48 hours, but alternatively temperature gradients may be applied during this period.
• a transferase type acid lactase may be added to the reaction mixture during this period to improve formation of oligosaccharides.
• a transferase type neutral lactase like the lactase from Bacillus circulans, may also be used in the first step of the process instead of an acid lactase or combination of acid lactases.
• the pH of the concentrated lactose solution is adjusted to any suitable pH between preferably pH 5.0 and 8.0 using HCl, acetic acid, or any suitable acid, NaOH, ammonium hydroxide or any suitable base or buffer, after that the reaction is allowed to proceed as described for the acid lactases.
• the use of a combination of transferase type neutral lactases or the addition of a neutral lactase during step 1 is optional.
• the reaction mixture is optionally cooled to any suitable temperature, and when required the pH is adjusted to the pH that is most suitable for step 2 of the process.
• a hydrolytic type lactase is used.
• a hydrolytic type neutral lactase such as derived from Kluyveromyces lactis (Maxilact, DSM, The
• Other suitable examples include, but are not limited to, a hydrolytic type neutral lactase derived from Aspergillus niger or Streptococcus thermophilus.
• the reaction is allowed to proceed for 2-48 hours, e.g., at temperatures between 10 and 60 0 C. Alternatively, temperature gradients may be used during the incubation.
• Reaction conditions are optimized for lactose hydrolysis.
• the reaction is allowed to proceed until lactose concentration is below 5% of total sugars.
• combinations of hydrolytic type neutral lactases may be used.
• Hydrolytic type neutral lactases may be added during the incubation of step 2 to help to reduce lactose levels.
• a hydrolytic type acid lactase may also be used in step 2 instead of the hydrolytic type neutral lactase.
• the pH of the solution is adjusted to any suitable pH, including but not limited to, between 2.5 and 5.5, using hydrochloric acid, acetic acid or any other suitable acid.
• buffers like 50 mM Na- acetate buffer or any other suitable buffer may be used to set the pH.
• Suitable lactases may be derived from e.g. Aspergillus niger and may be added to concentrations of preferably 1,000 - 10,000 ALU / L and the reaction is allowed to proceed, e.g., between 2-48 hours at temperatures between, e.g., 20 and 60 0 C.
• hydrolytic type acid lactases instead of a single hydrolytic type acid lactase, combinations of hydrolytic type acid lactases may be used in this step. It is an option to add an additional lactase during the incubation in this second step.
• the reaction conditions are optimized to obtain lactose hydrolysis until final lactose concentration is below 5% of total sugars and without significant degrading of formed previously oligosaccharides.
• step 3 the solution containing galacto-oligosaccharides is optionally further processed to remove enzymes and mono sugars. Enzymes may be removed by ultra filtration; suitable filters are well known to the person skilled in the art. The resulting mono sugars (primarily glucose and galactose) may subsequently be removed by nanofltration. Suitable filters and filtration conditions are known to the person skilled in the art, and have been described in literature as described previously in this text. The resulting oligosaccharide composition is than essentially free from enzymes and monomeric sugars and can be further processed into a stabilized liquid or can be dried using methods known to the person skilled in the art to obtain e.g. a powder or granulate products.
• the enzymes used in a method of the invention can be used either in the free form without restriction of movement in the reaction mixture or alternatively can be immobilized on a suitable carrier. Immobilization can be obtained by covalent coupling of the enzyme to a carrier substrate or by physical entrapment of the enzyme in e.g. a gel matrix. Methods to immobilize enzymes are known to the expert in the field; recent reviews have appeared on this topic (see e.g. Mateo et al 2007, Enz. Micr. Technol. 40, 1451-1463). Enzymes may also be cross-linked to form large aggregates that can easily be separated from the reaction mature by filtration (see for review e.g. Margolin et al, 2001, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 40, 2204-2222).
• the galacto-oligosaccharides compositions of the present invention can be administered as a prebiotic formulation (i.e., without bacteria) or as a probiotic formulation (i.e., with desirable bacteria such as bifidobacteria as described herein).
• a prebiotic formulation i.e., without bacteria
• a probiotic formulation i.e., with desirable bacteria such as bifidobacteria as described herein.
• any food or beverage that can be consumed by human infants or adults or animals may be used to make formulations containing the prebiotic and probiotic compositions of the present invention.
• Exemplary foods include those with a semi-liquid consistency to allow easy and uniform dispersal of the prebiotic and probiotic compositions of the invention.
• other consistencies e.g., powders, liquids, etc.
• such food items include, without limitation, dairy-based products such as cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, and ice cream.
• dairy-based products such as cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, and ice cream.
• Processed fruits and vegetables including those targeted for infants/toddlers, such as apple sauce or strained peas and carrots, are also suitable for use in combination with the galacto-oligosaccharides of the present invention.
• infant cereals such as rice- or oat-based cereals and adult cereals such as Musilix are also be suitable for use in combination with the galacto-oligosaccharides of the present invention.
• animal feeds may also be supplemented with the prebiotic and probiotic compositions of the invention.
• the prebiotic and probiotic compositions of the invention may be used to supplement a beverage.
• beverages include, without limitation, infant formula, follow-on formula, toddler's beverage, milk, fermented milk, fruit juice, fruit-based drinks, and sports drinks.
• infant and toddler formulas are known in the art and are commercially available, including, for example, Carnation Good Start (Nestle Nutrition Division; Glendale, Calif.) and Nutrish A/B produced by Mayfield Dairy Farms (Athens, Tenn.).
• Other examples of infant or baby formula include those disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,902,617.
• Other beneficial formulations of the compositions of the present invention include the supplementation of animal milks, such as cow's milk.
• the prebiotic and probiotic compositions of the present invention can be formulated into pills or tablets or encapsulated in capsules, such as gelatin capsules.
• Tablet forms can optionally include, for example, one or more of lactose, sucrose, mannitol, sorbitol, calcium phosphates, corn starch, potato starch, microcrystalline cellulose, gelatin, colloidal silicon dioxide, talc, magnesium stearate, stearic acid, and other excipients, colorants, fillers, binders, diluents, buffering agents, moistening agents, preservatives, flavoring agents, dyes, disintegrating agents, and pharmaceutically compatible carriers.
• Lozenge or candy forms can comprise the compositions in a flavor, e.g., sucrose, as well as pastilles comprising the compositions in an inert base, such as gelatin and glycerin or sucrose and acacia emulsions, gels, and the like containing, in addition to the active ingredient, carriers known in the art.
• the inventive prebiotic or probiotic formulations may also contain conventional food supplement fillers and extenders such as, for example, rice flour.
• the prebiotic or probiotic composition will further comprise a non-human protein, non-human lipid, non-human carbohydrate, or other non-human component.
• the compositions of the invention comprise a bovine (or other non-human) milk protein, a soy protein, a rice protein, betalactoglobulin, whey, soybean oil or starch.
• the dosages of the prebiotic and probiotic compositions of the present invention will be varied depending upon the requirements of the individual and will take into account factors such as age (infant versus adult), weight, and reasons for loss of beneficial gut bacteria (e.g., antibiotic therapy, chemotherapy, disease, or age).
• the amount administered to an individual, in the context of the present invention should be sufficient to establish colonization of the gut with beneficial bacteria over time.
• the size of the dose also will be determined by the existence, nature, and extent of any adverse side-effects that may accompany the administration of a prebiotic or probiotic composition of the present invention.
• the dosage range will be effective as a food supplement and for reestablishing beneficial bacteria in the intestinal tract.
• the dosage of a galacto-oligosaccharide composition of the present invention ranges from about 1 micrograms/L to about 25 grams/L of galacto-oligosaccharides. In some embodiments, the dosage of a galacto-oligosaccharide composition of the present invention is about 100 micrograms/L to about 15 grams/L of galacto-oligosaccharides.
• the dosage of a galacto-oligosaccharide composition of the present invention is 1 gram/L to 10 grams/L of galacto-oligosaccharides.
• Exemplary Bifidobacteria dosages include, but are not limited to, 10 4 to 10 12 colony forming units (CFU) per dose. A further advantageous range is 10 6 to 10 10 CFU.
• the prebiotic or probiotic formulations of the invention can be administered to any individual in need thereof.
• the individual is an infant or toddler.
• the individual is less than, e.g., 3 months, 6 moths, 9 months, one year, two years or three years old.
• the individual is an adult.
• the individual is over 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, or 75 years old.
• the individual is immuno-deficient (e.g., the individual has AIDS or is taking chemotherapy).
• Exemplary Bifidobacteria that can be included in the pro-biotic compositions of the invention include, but are not limited to, B. longum bv infantis, B. longum bv longum, B. breve, and B. adolescentis.
• the Bifidobacterium used will depend in part on the target consumer.
• B. longum bv infantis is administered with the galacto-oligosaccharide compositions of the invention to an infant or young child (e.g., under 5 years old).
• B. longum bv infantis is included in, or in conjunction with, an infant formula or follow-on formula.
• the galacto- oligosaccharide compositions of the invention are enriched for DP 4-5 galacto- oligosaccharides, optionally having less than 5% by weight of dimeric and trimeric galacto- oligosaccharides.
• the compositions are administered to an adult or an elderly person.
• the person is at least 50, 60, 70, or 80 years old.
• additional components may include, but are not limited to, fructoligosaccharides such as Raftilose (Rhone-Poulenc, Cranbury, N.J.), inulin (Imperial Holly Corp., Sugar Land, Tex.), and Nutraflora (Golden Technologies, Westminister, Colo.), as well as lactose, xylooligosaccharides, soyoligosaccharides, lactulose/lactitol, among others.
• compositions of the invention are administered to a human or animal in need thereof.
• the compositions of the invention are administered to a person or animal having at least one condition selected from the group consisting of inflammatory bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhea, colitis, Crohn's disease, colon cancer, functional bowel disorder (FBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), excess sulfate reducing bacteria, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and ulcerative colitis.
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is characterized by abdominal pain and discomfort, bloating, and altered bowel function, constipation and/or diarrhea.
• IBS Constipation predominant IBS
• A-IBS Alternating IBS
• D-IBS Diarrhea predominant IBS
• the compositions of the invention are useful, e.g., for repressing or prolonging the remission periods on Ulcerative patients.
• the compositions of the invention can be administered to treat or prevent any form of Functional Bowel Disorder (FBD), and in particular Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), such as Constipation predominant IBS (C-IBS), Alternating IBS (A-IBS) and Diarrhea predominant IBS (D-IBS); functional constipation and functional diarrhea.
• FBD is a general term for a range of gastrointestinal disorders which are chronic or semi-chronic and which are associated with bowel pain, disturbed bowel function and social disruption.
• compositions of the invention are administered to those in need stimulation of the immune system and/or for promotion of resistance to bacterial or yeast infections, e.g., Candidiasis or diseases induced by sulfate reducing bacteria.
• oligosaccharide composition in GOS syrup preparations was investigated by MALDI-FTICR.
• disaccharide- and monosaccharide-free fractions of GOS were prepared by size-exclusion chromatography and used in bacterial fermentation experiments.
• Four major bifidobacterial species, Bifidobacterium adolescentis, B. breve, B. longum subsp. Infantis, and B. longum subsp. longum, present in infants and adult intestinal microbiota were assayed and pGOS consumption profiles were obtained by MALDI-FTICR mass spectrometry.
• DP degree of polymerization
• Thin layer chromatography was performed to confirm lactose-free pGOS obtained in a solvent mixture of acetonitrile/water (8:2 v/v). The plate was developed twice at room temperature, dried and visualized using 0.3% (w/v) N-(l-naphthyl)-ethylenediamine and 5% (v/v) H 2 SO 4 in methanol, followed by heating at
• Bacterial fermentations Bacterial fermentations. Bifidobacteria cultures were initially propagated on a semi-synthetic MRS medium supplemented with 1% L-cysteine and 1.5% (w/v) lactose as a carbon source. Cultures were then inoculated at 1 % into a modified MRS medium supplemented with 1% L-cysteine, containing 0.5, 1, 1.5 or 2% (w/v) of pGOS as a sole carbon source. Growth studies were carried out in a 96 well-plate (clear, non-treated, polysterene 96 well-plate from Nunc), containing 100 ⁇ l of media/well and each well was covered with 40 ⁇ l of mineral oil.
• Incubations were carried out at 37°C and cell growth was measured by assessing optical density (OD) at 600 nm with an automated PowerWave microplate spectrophotometer (BioTek Instruments, Inc.), placed inside of an anaerobic chamber (Coy Laboratory Products, Grass Lake, MI). Each fermentation experiment was performed in triplicates, and controls consisted of inoculated medium lacking pGOS and un-inoculated medium containing pGOS.
• Oligosaccharides were then purified from the supernatant using microcolumns containing 100 ⁇ L Dowex 50WX8 H + form (Supelco, Bellefonte, PA) (bottom) and 100 ⁇ L of C18 resins (taken from disposable C18 cartridge (Waters, Milford, MA) (top). Resins were packed into empty columns (MicroBio-Spin columns, Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA) with nano-pure water. Supernatants samples were applied and pGOS was eluted with 0.3 mL water, dried down in vacuum and stored at -80 0 C. Samples were then reconstituted in deionized water to initial concentration before MS analyses.
• MALDI-FTICR MS analysis All mass analyses were carried out with a ProMALDI-FT-ICR MS instrument with an external MALDI source, a 355 nm pulsed Nd: YAG laser, a hexapole accumulation cell, a quadrupole ion guide, and a 7.0-T superconducting magnet (Varian/IonSpec, Lake Forest, CA). Tandem MS was performed by IRMPD and a CO 2 laser (10.6 zin, 20-W maximum power, Parallax, Waltham, MA) was added to the instrument in order to provide IR photons for these experiments.
• DHB 0.4 M in acetonitrile: water (50% Wv)
• 0.10 mM NaCl 0.10 mM NaCl
• samples were spotted onto a 100-well stainless steel sample plate (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA), according to the "thin layer” method.
• Samples were analyzed in the positive ion mode, with external accumulation of ions in the hexapole; ions were then transferred to the ICR cell via the ion guide for excitation and detection.
• IRMPD experiments select precursor ions were isolated in the ICR cell and irradiated with photons for 500 ms.
• MALDI-FTICR analysis of GOS syrup To determine the degree of polymerization (DP) of galacto-oligosaccharides in GOS syrup preparations, samples were diluted and analyzed by MALDI-FTICR mass spectrometry. Both glucose and galactose, monomer components of GOS, have an exact residue mass of 162.0528 Da. Exact mass measurement was used to identify the DP of GOS, and the quasimolecular ions were assigned with less than 5 ppm difference between theoretical and calculated mass. Positive ion mode MALDI-FTICR spectrum obtained showed that GOS syrup contains oligosaccharides with DPs ranging from 2 to 11 (Fig. 1).
• GOS purification To better understand the GOS bifidogenic effect, GOS syrup was fractionated and purified from monosaccharides (glucose and galactose) and disaccharides (including lactose and GOS with DP 2) by size-exclusion chromatography. Fractions were collected and analyzed by MALDI-FTICR, displaying DP of oligomers eluted in each fraction (Figs. 2a-e). Di- and mono- saccharide-free fractions were confirmed by TLC (data not shown) and pooled according to the desired DP. MALDI-FTICR mass spectrum of purified GOS (pGOS) preparations obtained indicated that the DP ranging from 3 to 8 (Fig. 4).
• Rapid-throughput screen of pGOS bifidogenic effect microscale fermentations coupled to MALDI-FTICR MS analysis.
• the concept that prebiotics can selectively modulate gastrointestinal microbiota fermentation to influence physiological processes, which are known biomarkers of potential illness and health, has been an important development in nutritional research and food product innovation.
• the lack of analytical methods available to perform comparative analysis of bacterial prebiotics consumption has limited this field.
• a fast-throughput method to screen and compare the prebiotic effect of pGOS was developed, coupling bifidobacterial microscale fermentations and pGOS consumption profiling using M ALDI-FTICR MS.
• pGOS microscale fermentations were performed anaerobically in a 96 well-plate format. The ability to grow on pGOS preparations as the sole carbon source was tested at varying substrate concentrations: 0.5%, 1%, 1.5% and 2%.
• Bifidobacterium phylotypes were used in the present work: Bifidobacterium breve and B. longum subsp. infantis, both common infant-associated microbiota, and B. adolescentis and B. longum subsp.
• pGOS consumption determined by MALDI-FTICR MS was developed.
• pGOS remaining in culture supernatants were recovered 72 hours post-inoculation, purified, and analyzed using MALDI-FTICR MS.
• Positive MALDI-FTICR MS ion spectra of remaining pGOS purified from supernatants of bifidobacterial culture containing 0.5% pGOS are shown in Figs. 5A-D.
• a comparative analysis of the mass spectra obtained clearly show a differential fermentative capacity among the bifidobacteria assayed, signaling substrate preferences in the utilization of pGOS.
• B. breve and B. longum subsp. infantis showed to be the most efficient in pGOS consumption (Figs. 5b and c). Although slightly different, signals with m/z values 689, 851, 1013, 1175, and 1337 were strongly reduced in both samples, indicating pGOS consumption with DP range from 4 to 8. Remarkably, signal with m/z value 689, corresponding to tetra- saccharides, were almost absent following fermentation by B. longum subsp. infantis, demonstrating the preferential consumption of pGOS with DP 4. Unlike B. breve, B. longum subsp. infantis also showed an important signal reduction corresponding to oligosaccharides with DP 3. Similarly, B.
• adolescentis showed a significant decrease in signal with m/z value 527, indicating consumption of GOS with DP 3. Although signals corresponding to longer oligosaccharides were not greatly altered, some consumption of oligosaccharides with DP 4 and 5 were evident (Fig. 5a).
• Bifidobacteria have adapted to the utilization of a diverse range of host-indigestible oligosaccharides encountered in the lower bowel. Accordingly, GOS oligomers are degraded to galactose and glucose by bifidobacterial enzymes to generate energy and substrates for anabolic reactions. The requisite catabolic reaction in GOS utilization is ⁇ -galactosidase activity (EC 3.2.1.23) exerted on terminal ⁇ -galactosyl linkages which are found in industrially produced or naturally occurring GOS.
• bifidobacterial ⁇ -galactosidases are classified into glycosyl hydrolase (GH) family 42 and GH family 2, along with a few exceptions.
• GH glycosyl hydrolase
• several ⁇ -galactosidases are fused to other glycosidic domains.
• the genome sequence of B. adolescentis ATCC15703, B. longum subsp. infantis ATCC 15697 and B. longum subsp. longum NCC2705 contains 10, 7, and 3 sequences, respectively, that have been assigned a ⁇ -galactosidase functionality (Fig. 6,
• BIF3 B. bifidum ⁇ -galactosidase isozyme
• infantis ⁇ -galactosidase (Blon_2334; GH 2) with 25% identity is located in a gene cluster dedicated to human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) utilization.
• Homologs of Blon_2334 are present in two copies: B. adolescentis ATCC 15703 (BAD_1605 and BAD_1582) and B. longum subsp. longum NCC2705 (BL_0978) whose genomes do not contain the same complement HMO-related genes found in B. longum subsp. infantis.
• B. adolescentis ATCC 15703 BAD_1605 and BAD_1582
• B. longum subsp. longum NCC2705 BL_0978
• these ⁇ -galactosidases have been previously isolated and characterized from B.
• infantis HL96 (termed ⁇ -g ⁇ //) as possessing high transgalactosylation activity (3).
• Blon_2334 1023 no no COG3250 02837, 00703, 00703, 02929 2 unique region, but gene is similar to adol and longum
• Blon_0268 606 no no COG3250 00703, 02836 2 unique to infantis

Landscapes

• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
• Pharmacology & Pharmacy (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Nutrition Science (AREA)
• Food Science & Technology (AREA)
• Polymers & Plastics (AREA)
• Organic Chemistry (AREA)
• Mycology (AREA)
• Bioinformatics & Cheminformatics (AREA)
• Molecular Biology (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
• Epidemiology (AREA)
• Microbiology (AREA)
• Biochemistry (AREA)
• Proteomics, Peptides & Aminoacids (AREA)
• Immunology (AREA)
• Gastroenterology & Hepatology (AREA)
• Zoology (AREA)
• Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
• Genetics & Genomics (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Pediatric Medicine (AREA)
• Coloring Foods And Improving Nutritive Qualities (AREA)
• Pharmaceuticals Containing Other Organic And Inorganic Compounds (AREA)
• Micro-Organisms Or Cultivation Processes Thereof (AREA)
• Medicines That Contain Protein Lipid Enzymes And Other Medicines (AREA)

Priority Applications (5)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=42728831

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (7)

Cited By (21)

Families Citing this family (41)

Citations (7)

Family Cites Families (7)

• 2010
  • 2010-03-12 CA CA2760999A patent/CA2760999A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2010-03-12 US US12/722,813 patent/US8425930B2/en active Active
  • 2010-03-12 NZ NZ595174A patent/NZ595174A/xx unknown
  • 2010-03-12 AU AU2010223965A patent/AU2010223965A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2010-03-12 WO PCT/US2010/027206 patent/WO2010105207A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2010-03-12 JP JP2011554245A patent/JP2012520325A/ja active Pending
  • 2010-03-12 EP EP10751504.1A patent/EP2405918B2/en active Active
• 2013
  • 2013-03-19 US US13/847,064 patent/US20140037785A1/en not_active Abandoned
• 2016
  • 2016-07-22 US US15/216,974 patent/US20170000811A1/en not_active Abandoned

Patent Citations (7)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events