Development of a process for the production and purification of α - and β -galactooligosaccharides from Bifidobacterium bifidum NCIMB 41171

Synthesis of prebiotic α- and β-galactooligosaccharides (GOS) using the whole cells of Bifidobacterium bifidum NCIMB 41171 was investigated. Determination of α- and β-galactosidase activities showed them to be at 3 and 205 U g −1 of freeze dried biomass, respectively, and they increased to 5 and 344 U g −1, respectively, when cells were treated with toluene. Starting with 450–500 mg mL −1 lactose, maximum GOS concentrations were observed at 80–85% lactose conversions and the mixtures contained oligosaccharides (with a degree of polymerisation ⩾3) at 77–109 mg mL −1 and trans-galactosylated disaccharides between 85–115 mg mL −1. The GOS yield values varied between 36% and 43%. An α-linked disaccharide was detected and its presence was confirmed by gas chromatography mass spectroscopy. Cells were re-used up to 8 times without changes in reaction times or the substrate conversions to GOS. Oligosaccharide synthesis was not inhibited by the presence of glucose or galactose. The mixtures were successfully purified from glucose (92% of glucose removed) by fermentation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae with no losses in the oligosaccharide content and only a small decrease on the galactose.