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Resistant starch utilization by Bifidobacterium, the beneficial human gut bacteria

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Abstract

Resistant starch (RS) reaches the large intestine largely intact, where it is fermented by the gut microbiota, resulting in the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that have beneficial effects on the human body. Bifidobacteria are a major species widely used in the probiotic field, and are increased in the gut by RS, indicating their importance in RS metabolism in the intestine. Bifidobacteria have a genetic advantage in starch metabolism as they possess a significant number of starch-degrading enzymes and extraordinary three RS-degrading enzymes, allowing them to utilize RS. However, to date, only three species of RS-degrading bifidobacteria have been reported as single isolates B. adolescentis, B. choerinum, and B. pseudolongum. In this review, we describe recent studies on RS utilization by Bifidobacterium, based on their biochemical characteristics and genetic findings. This review provides a crucial understanding of how bifidobacteria survive in specific niches with abundant RS such as the human gut.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Korean government, Ministry of Science and ICT [National Research Foundation of Korea (No. 2021R1A4A1023437)], and the Ministry of Environment [National Institute of Biological Resources (No. NIBR202203111)].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Microorganism Resources Division, National Institute of Biological Resources, Incheon, 22689, Republic of Korea

    Dong-Hyun Jung

  2. Division of Food and Nutrition, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea

    Dong-Hyun Jung

  3. Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Biotechnology and Institute of Life Science and Resources, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, 17104, Republic of Korea

    Cheon-Seok Park

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Jung, DH., Park, CS. Resistant starch utilization by Bifidobacterium, the beneficial human gut bacteria. Food Sci Biotechnol 32, 441–452 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10068-023-01253-w

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