A new factor from Bacillus mesentericus which promotes the growth of Bifidobacterium.

Abstract

It was reported previously that supernatants of cultures of Bacillus mesentericus TO-A promote the growth of Bifidobacterium species. In this study, a new growth-promoting factor, BM-1, was purified from the supernatant of such a culture and its chemical structure was determined. BM-1 was identified as 3,3-dihydroxyazetidine, and it promoted the growth of several strains of Bifidobacterium.