In vitro evaluation of probiotic properties and antioxidant activities of Bifidobacterium strains from infant feces in the Uyghur population of northwestern China

Abstract

Abstract Purpose Bifidobacterium is an important probiotic used in food and medicine production. The probiotic properties of bifidobacteria are strain specific, so it is necessary to evaluate the probiotic properties of bifidobacteria isolated from specific populations, especially when developing products suitable for specific populations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the probiotic potential and safety of bifidobacteria isolated from healthy Uyghur infants from northwestern China. Methods In this study, antimicrobial activity, antibiotic sensitivity, hemolytic, acid and bile tolerance, hydrophobicity, co-aggregation, auto-aggregation, and antioxidant activity were evaluated. Results Based on antagonistic activity spectrum against seven intestinal pathogenic bacteria, 14 excellent strains were initially selected. Among 14 strains, four bifidobacteria strains (BF17-4, BF52-1, BF87-3, and BF88-5) were superior to strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in cell surface hydrophobicity and auto-aggregation percentages and close to strain GG in co-aggregation with Escherichia coli EPEC O127: K63 (CICC 10411). The antioxidant activities of each of the 14 bifidobacteria strains varied with the cell components. Most of the strains were sensitive to all the antimicrobials tested, except kanamycin and amikacin. Conclusion BF17-4 and BF52-1 are good candidates for further in vivo studies and further used in functional foods.