Increase of Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) Contents in Milk by Fermentation with Bifidobacteria Isolated from Korean Infants

More than 200 Bifidobacterium sp. originated from human intestine were investigated for their ability to produce conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Of the Bifidobacteria tested, 1 of culture type strain and 12 isolated strains from Korean infants showed CLA producing ability. cis-9, trans-11 octadecadienoic acid presented more than 90% of the total CLA isomers produced by the Bifidobacteria. CLA content in fermented milk by Bifidobacterium sp. KHU 141 increased by 39.6 mg/l00 g, which showed the potential use for producing fermented milk containing high content of CLA. In fermented milk, little changes showed in lauric acid, myristric acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, and linolenic acid contents, whereas the content of linoleic acid (LA) decreased and the content of CLA increased. Bifidobacterium sp. KHU 141 converted 86.0% and 84.8% of LA consumed to CLA for 24 hr and 48 hr fermentation, respectively. Prolonging incubation from 24 to 48 hours did not appear to enhance CLA formation and CLA producing ability was stable whether bottle, test tube, or fermenter was used for making fermented milk by Bifidobacterium sp. KHU 141.