Vitamin Production by Bifidobacteria Originated from Human Intestine

Abstract

Vitamin production by the strains of Bifidobacterium infantis, B. breve, B. bfidum, B. longum and B. adolescentis was studied. They accumulated vitamin B₁, B₂, B₆, B₁₂, C, nicotinic acid, folic acid and biotin intracellulary while they excreted vitamin B₆, B₁₂ and folic acid in the medium.
B. longum, B. breve and B. infantis exhibited an appreciable vitamin production. The production of vitamin B₂ and B₆ by B. longum was outstanding. B. breve and B. infantis respectively produced nicotinic acid and biotin to a higher concentration which was distinctive from the case of the other species.
A significance of the intestinal Bifidobacteria, in vitamin nutrition in the host, was discussed.