Bifidobacteria and siderophores produced thereby and methods of use

Abstract

The present invention provides isolated Bifidobacterium strains that secrete a siderophore, and methods of using such strains. The present invention also provides a siderophore from bifidobacteria, and methods of obtaining and methods of using such siderophores.

1 - 40 . Canceled  
     
     
         41 . A composition comprising an isolated Bifidobacterium and either a food or a beverage, wherein the isolated Bifidobacteriuin, when cultured in a medium comprising at least about 0.3 mM 2,2′-dipyridyl, secretes a siderophore, and wherein the siderophore inhibits growth of  Lactococcus lactis.    
     
     
         42 . The composition of  claim 41  wherein the food comprises a dairy product.  
     
     
         43 . The composition of  claim 42  wherein the dairy product is a solid dairy product or a semi-solid dairy product.  
     
     
         44 . The composition of  claim 42  wherein the dairy product is cottage cheese, cheese, powdered milk, milk, or yogurt.  
     
     
         45 . The composition of  claim 41  wherein the beverage comprises milk, vegetable juice, fruit juice, soy milk, soybean milk, fermented soybean milk, or a fruit flavored beverage.  
     
     
         46 . The composition of  claim 41  wherein the isolated Bifidobacterium is encapsulated or in a tablet.  
     
     
         47 . The composition of  claim 41  wherein the composition comprises substantially no free iron, comprises an iron chelator, or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         48 . A method for administering a live microbial feed supplement, comprising: 
 providing an isolated Bifidobacterium, wherein the isolated Bifidobacterium, when cultured in a medium comprising at least about 0.3 mM 2,2′-dipyridyl, secretes a siderophore, and wherein the siderophore inhibits growth of  Lactococcus lactis;  and    administering the isolated Bifidobacterium to an animal.    
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48  wherein the animal is a human.  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49  wherein the human is an infant.  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 48  wherein the isolated Bifidobacterium is present in a composition comprising either a food or a beverage.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51  wherein the food comprises a dairy product.  
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52  wherein the dairy product is a solid dairy product or a semi-solid dairy product.  
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 52  wherein the dairy product is cottage cheese, cheese, powdered milk, milk, or yogurt.  
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 51  wherein the beverage comprises milk, vegetable juice, fruit juice, soy milk, soybean milk, fermented soybean milk, or a fruit flavored beverage.  
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 51  wherein the isolated Bifidobacterium is encapsulated or in a tablet.  
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 48  wherein the isolated Bifidobacterium is secreting the siderophore when administered to the animal  
     
     
         58 . The composition of  claim 51  wherein the composition comprises substantially no free iron, comprises an iron chelator, or a combination thereof.