1981 Volume 27 Issue 2 Pages 185-193
The effect of fatty acids, monoglycerides, diglycerides and triglycerides (present or able to be generated in human milk by lipase activity) on the growth of anaerobic Bifidobacterium bifidum types a and b, Bifidobacterium infantis sp. infantis types a and b, and facultative Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium were determined turbidimetrically. The fatty acids and monoglycerides tested inhibited the growth of the Bifidobacteria while the gram-negative E. coli and S. typhimurium proved more resistant. Triglycerides were not inhibitory to the bacteria tested, with some actually enhancing growth. Monolaurin and 2-monopalmitin proved to be the most potent inhibitors of Bjfidobacteria growth in the concentration ranges used.