Stability of Species Composition of Fecal Bifidobacteria in Human Subjects During Fermented Milk Administration

Abstract

Bifidobacteria play important roles in human health. However, the influence of exogenous factors on species composition of fecal bifidobacteria is still unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of fermented milk administration on the species composition of fecal bifidobacteria by molecular biological methods. Fermented milk containing Lactobacillus helveticus was given to seven healthy subjects, and the probiotic effect on human fecal microflora was demonstrated as a significant increase of bifidobacteria and decrease of clostridia by the conventional culture method. Species composition of bifidobacteria in the human fecal microflora was then investigated directly in fecal specimens by the PCR detection method. The species composition of bifidobacteria in the fecal specimens did not change significantly throughout the study period. These findings suggest that the species composition of bifidobacteria remains stable even when fecal microflora is improved by food management.