{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.020995800839832032, 'fraction_numerical': 0.003599280143971206, 'mean_word_length': 5.566929133858268, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Bifidobacteria exhibited stronger ability to utilize fructooligosaccharides, compared with other bacteria in the mouse intestine.

BACKGROUND
Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) have been identified as an important prebiotic. Previous studies have found that FOS can significantly promote the proliferation of Bifidobacterium pseudolongum in the mouse intestine. However, it is still unclear which other bacteria in the mouse intestine can utilize FOS, and the differences in the ability to utilize FOS. In this study, the bacteria capable of utilizing FOS were isolated from mice feces and the abilities to utilize FOS were compared. Draft genome sequencing was also applied to explain the differences in FOS utilization at the gene levels.


RESULTS
A total of fifteen species were isolated from mouse feces and thirteen species were able to utilize fructofuranosylnystose (GF2). While 11 species could utilize nistose (GF3) except Enterococcus hirae and Lactobacillus reuteri. In contrast, the 1-kestose (GF4) was hardly utilized. The enzyme activity determination and draft genome sequencing-based analyses revealed that all isolated species used the phosphotransferase system or permease system to transport FOS into the cells before hydrolysis by β-fructofuranosidase. Although β-fructofuranosidase exists in all strains, there are big differences in the corresponding coding genes between bifidobacteria and non-bifidobacteria.


CONCLUSION
Compared to the other isolates, Bifidobacterium species exhibited higher enzyme activities and shorter generation time, leading to a stronger ability to utilize FOS. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.