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Bifidobacteria
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
Bifidobacteria are gram-positive, non-spore-forming, non-motile rods. Pleomorphic, diphtheroid or club-shaped with one rounded end and the other cone-shaped, less intensely stained. Cells can be coccoid, elongated, bifurcated and even branched; they are located singly, in pairs, in the form of the letters V and Y, in short chains or in groups in the form of Chinese characters. The type species is Propionibacterium.
Read also: Top 10 Foods Containing Probiotics
Cultural properties of bifidobacteria
Most bacterial strains grow most rapidly under anaerobic conditions, in special media, with an optimum pH of 7.0 at 25-45 °C.
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Biochemical activity of bifidobacteria
Bifidobacteria have a fermentative metabolism. Fermentation products include combinations of propionic and acetic acids. Most strains form ammonia from protein substances.
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Ecological niche of bifidobacteria
Human skin, human and animal digestive tract: found in dairy products.
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Antimicrobial susceptibility
Bifidobacteria are sensitive to the action of commonly used antiseptics and disinfectants.