Bifidobacterium longum
Probiotics & Enzymes
Overview
- Bifidobacterium longum is a Gram‑positive, anaerobic, rod‑shaped bacterium.
- It naturally colonizes the human gastrointestinal tract, especially the colon and distal ileum.
- It is primarily used as a probiotic to support a balanced gut microbiota.
- It contributes to digestive health and systemic immune modulation.
Chemistry
- Living Organism: B. longum is a living organism; therefore, it does not have a single molecular formula.
- Cellular Structure: Its cellular structure includes a thick peptidoglycan layer (Gram‑positive), teichoic acids, and surface‑attached polysaccharide A (PSA) with repeating N‑acetyl‑glucosamine and N‑acetyl‑muramic acid units.
- Genome: Genomic analyses reveal a 2.5–2.9 Mbp genome encoding ~2,000–2,500 proteins, with a GC content of ~60 mol %.
- Metabolic Products: The bacterium’s metabolic products—acetate (C₂H₃O₂⁻), lactate (C₃H₅O₃⁻), and SCFAs—have defined chemical formulas (e.g., acetate: C₂H₃O₂⁻).
- PSA: The primary active component, PSA, is a high‑molecular‑weight polysaccharide (≈10⁶ Da) composed of β‑(1→6)‑linked N‑acetyl‑glucosamine residues, which is responsible for many immunomodulatory effects.
Sources & Quality
- Isolation: Commercial B. longum strains are typically isolated from human feces, breast‑milk, or infant gut samples under anaerobic conditions.
- Culture: Strains are then cultured in reinforced clostridial media, harvested, and lyophilized or freeze‑dried with protective cryoprotectants (e.g., maltodextrin).
- Quality Control: High‑quality supplements employ GMP‑certified fermentation, followed by rigorous strain identification via 16S rRNA sequencing and whole‑genome sequencing to confirm strain identity (e.g., BB536, 171/2).
- Viability: The final product must meet viability criteria (≥10⁹ CFU per dose) and be tested for contaminants (pathogenic bacteria, yeast, endotoxin).
- Storage: Quality considerations include storage temperature (≤ 4 °C for liquid formulations, ≤ 25 °C for capsules) and shelf‑life testing to ensure stable colony counts throughout the product’s expiry.
Where to Buy Bifidobacterium longum
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