Scanning Electron Microscopy Observation of Adhesion Properties of Bifidobacterium longum W11 and Chromatographic Analysis of Its Exopolysaccaride

Rosanna Inturri¹, Aldo Stivala¹, Fulvia Sinatra², Raffaele Morrone³, Giovanna Blandino¹

¹Department of Bio-Medical Sciences, Section of Microbiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
²Department Gian Filippo Ingrassia, Unit of Genomics and Molecular Complex Systems BioMedicine G Sichel, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
³National Research Council of Italy-Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Catania, Italy.

DOI: 10.4236/fns.2014.518192                

Abstract

Bifidobacterium spp. can produce cell-bound or released exopolysaccharide (EPS) that is a beneficial trait mediating commensal-host interactions. However differences in the physico-chemical characteristics of EPS produced by different strains of Bifidobacterium spp. are determinant in adhesion ability and modulation of immune response. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro adhesion characteristics of Bifidobacterium longum W11 to intestinal epithelial cell-line HT-29, by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and chemical characteristics of its exopolysaccharide using Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC) analysis. SEM observation showed a good adhesion of B. longum W11 to the HT-29 monolayer that could be increased by the production of exocellular polymers formation. TLC analysis of the purified and hydrolyzed EPS showed that the cell-surface and extracellular polysaccharide were composed mainly of fructose and glucose. Moreover, other sugars were present in smaller quantities. Information from this study on physico-chemical characteristics of EPS of B. longum W11 could contribute to understanding the physiology of bifidobacteria and their interaction with the host.

Keywords

Bifidobacterium onguml W11, Adhesion, SEM, Exopolysaccharide, TLC

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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