Discrimination between Bifidobacterium species from human and animal origin by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism

in Journal of Food Protection (2004), 67(6), 1284-1288

Bifidobacteria are normal intestinal flora in humans and animals. The genus Bifidobacterium includes 31 species of significant host specificity. Taking into account their properties, we proposed to use ... [more ▼]

Bifidobacteria are normal intestinal flora in humans and animals. The genus Bifidobacterium includes 31 species of significant host specificity. Taking into account their properties, we proposed to use bifidobacteria as fecal contamination indicators. PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism on the 16S rDNA gene was used to distinguish the different Bifidobacterium species. Sixty-four strains belonging to 13 different species were differentiated from animal or human origin using one or two restriction enzymes. Moreover, the primers used were specifics of the Bifidobacterium genus. Therefore, this method made it possible to determine both the presence of bifidobacteria in a sample and its origin of contamination. [less ▲]

Proposal for a new standard of faecal contamination indicator: Bifidobacterium

in Annales de Médecine Vétérinaire (2002), 146(5, OCT-NOV), 279-293

Micro-organisms of the genus Bifidobacterium are some of the most common micro-organisms in the human and animal intestinal tract. Bifidobacterium species are well known for their beneficial effects on ... [more ▼]

Micro-organisms of the genus Bifidobacterium are some of the most common micro-organisms in the human and animal intestinal tract. Bifidobacterium species are well known for their beneficial effects on the microflora. In this article, the interest for this microorganism is other. If this microorganism is found at different stages of the processing line, it indicates often a contamination of this processing line. An other characteristic is that Bifidobacterium species are different according to the host. It could be possible to determine the contamination origin (human or animal). That is an advantage over other bacteria such as the actual faecal contamination indicator, Escherichia coli. The aim of this project is to develop a test, using molecular genetic tools, to rapidly detect the most important Bifidobacterium species in food. If we know the contamination sources, the critical points will be pointed out and the control measures will be better. [less ▲]