Title: Similar bifidogenic effects of prebiotic-supplemented partially hydrolyzed infant formula and breastfeeding on infant gut microbiota
| Authors: | Minna M. Rinne, Miguel Gueimonde, Marko Kalliomäki, Ulla Hoppu, Seppo J. Salminen, Erika Isolauri |
| Published: | 2005 |
| Journal: | FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology |
The objective of the study was to assess the quantitative and qualitative differences of the gut microbiota in infants. The infants were either exclusively breastfed, formula-fed, or were given a formula supplemented with a mixture of prebiotics (a mixture of fructo- and galacto-oligosaccharides) or breastfed by mothers who had been given probiotics.
It showed that the number of bifidobacteria was lower among the formula-fed group compared to other groups. It also showed that the prebiotic mixture stimulates growth of bifidobacteria to a similar microbiota composition than breastfed infants.