Bifidobacterium is a genus of Gram-positive, non-motile, often branched anaerobic bacteria. Bifidobacteria are one of the major genera of bacteria that make up the gut flora, the bacteria that reside in the colon. Bifidobacteria aid in digestion, are associated with a lower incidence of allergies (Björkstén et al., 2001) and also prevent some forms of tumor growth (Guarner and Malagelada, 2003). Some bifidobacteria are being used as probiotics.

Before the 1960s, Bifidobacterium species were collectively referred to as "Lactobacillus bifidus".

References

• Björkstén B, Sepp E, Julge K, Voor T, and Mikelsaar M. 2001. Allergy development and the intestinal microflora during the first year of life. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Volume 108, Issue 4, Pages 516-520. Abstract available.
• Guarner F and Malagelada JR. 2003. Gut flora in health and disease. The Lancet, Volume 361, Issue 9356, 8 February 2003, Pages 512-519. Abstract available.It helps your stomach absorb food.
• Ishibashi, N., Yaeshima, T., Hayasawa, H. (1997). Bifidobacteria: their significance in human intestinal health. Malaysian Journal of Nutrition 3, 149?159.

External links

• Bifidobacterium at Microbe Wiki

• Bifidobacterium Genome Projects (from Genomes OnLine Database)

• Comparative Analysis of Bifidobacterium Genomes (at DOE's IMG system)

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