Human milk oligosaccharide metabolism by probiotic bacteria

Human milk oligosaccharide metabolism by probiotic bacteria refers to the enzymatic degradation and utilization of complex sugars (HMOs) found in breast milk by specific gut commensals, especially bifidobacteria and some lactobacilli. These bacteria possess specialized enzyme systems (such as glycoside hydrolases and fucosidases) and transporters, allowing them to selectively assimilate HMOs that reach the infant colon intact, supporting their colonization, modulating gut microbial composition, and producing metabolites (short-chain fatty acids, organic acids, vitamins) that are critical for neonatal gut development, immune modulation, and disease resistance. This process underlies the rationale for using HMO-consuming bacteria as probiotics and forms the basis of prebiotic supplementation in both healthy and at-risk infants

Other names

Human milk oligosaccharide utilizationHMO metabolismHMO catabolism

Fermentation of HMOs by bifidobacteria and other probiotic bacteria leads to short-chain fatty acid secretion (acetate, lactate), production of health-promoting metabolites, and enhancement of gut barrier integrity