Abstract: Some oligoasecharides are naturally indigestible carbohydrates. In vitro they can stimulate selectively the growth Of species of bififobacterium, a genus of bacteria beneficial to health. Selective stimulation of three oligosaccharides were tested. The results show that oligoglucosan-mannosans and oligo-isomaltotriose have the strongest activity to stimulate selectively bifidobacterium spp, and lactulos is weaker, for it only stimultate growth of b. infantis.

Key words: Oligosaceharides Bifidobacteria Selective stimultion