Effect of dextransucrase cellobiose acceptor products on the growth of human gut bacteria.

The selective fermentation by human gut bacteria of gluco-oligosaccharides obtained from the reaction between the glucosyl group of sucrose and cellobiose, catalyzed by dextransucrases (DSR) from Leuconostoc mesenteroides , has been evaluated. Oligosaccharides were fractionated according to their molecular weight, and their effect on the growth of different bacterial groups was studied. To determine the structure (position and configuration of glycosidic linkages)-function relationship, their properties were compared to those of DSR maltose acceptor products (DSRMal) and of recognized prebiotic carbohydrates (fructo-oligosaccharides, FOS). Cellobiose acceptor products (DSRCel) showed bifidogenic properties similar to those of FOS. However, no significant differences related to molecular weight or isomeric configurations were found for DSRCel and DSRMal products.