Conjugated linoleic acid biosynthesis and human-derived Bifidobacterium species

• Published in: Journal of applied microbiology Vol. 94; no. 1; pp. 138 - 145
• Main Authors: Coakley, M, Ross, R.P, Nordgren, M, Fitzgerald, G, Devery, R, Stanton, C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science Ltd 2003; Blackwell Science; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Adult; bifidobacteria; Bifidobacterium - metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; Biology of microorganisms of confirmed or potential industrial interest; Biotechnology; Chromatography, Gas; conjugated linoleic acid; Culture Media; Fatty Acids - analysis; Feces - microbiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Infant; Intestines - microbiology; Isomerism; Lactobacillus - metabolism; Lactococcus - metabolism; linoleic acid; Linoleic Acid - biosynthesis; Mission oriented research; Pediococcus - metabolism; Physiology and metabolism; probiotic; probiotics; Probiotics - metabolism; Actinomycetales; Probiotic; Bifidobacterium; Actinomycetaceae; Conjugated dienic compound; Bacteria; Actinomycetes; Biosynthesis; Linoleic acid
• ISSN: 1364-5072; 1365-2672
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2672.2003.01814.x

Aims: To assess strains of Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Pediococcus and Bifidobacterium for their ability to produce the health‐promoting fatty acid conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) from free linoleic acid. Methods and Results: In this study, strains of Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Pediococcus and Bifidobacterium were grown in medium containing free linoleic acid. Growth of the bacteria in linoleic acid and conversion of the linoleic acid to CLA was assessed. Of the bacteria assessed, nine strains of Bifidobacterium produced the c9, t11 CLA isomer from free linoleic acid. The t9, t11 CLA isomer was also produced by some strains, but at much lower concentrations. Conclusions: The production of CLA by bifidobacteria exhibited considerable interspecies variation. Bifidobacterium breve and B. dentium were the most efficient CLA producers among the range of strains tested, with B. breve converting up to 65% linoleic acid to c9, t11 CLA when grown in 0·55 mg ml−1 linoleic acid. Strains also varied considerably with respect to their sensitivity to linoleic acid. Significance and Impact of the Study: The production of CLA by probiotic bifidobacteria offers a possible mechanism for some health‐enhancing properties of bifidobacteria and provides novel opportunities for the development of functional foods.