Acidic glycoproteins of buffalo colostrum and their influence on the growth of Bifidobacterium bifidus.

Acidic glycoproteins were isolated from buffalo colostrum at
pH 4.6 and their yields were highest -in the first day
colostrum, but decreased drastically in the third to fifth day
samples. They were purified on DEAE-cellulose and CM-cellulose
columns and exhibited complex nature. The concentrations of
carbohydrates and proteins varied from 2.1-13.9 % and 80-96 % ,
respectively, on dry weight basis. The SDS-PAGE analysis
showed the heterogeneous nature of the fractions and some of
the bands also stained positive with periodate-Schiff’s
reagent indicating their glycoprotein nature. The compositional
analysis of the glycans revealed the presence of
L-fucose, D-galactose, D-mannose, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine,
N-acetyl-D-galactosamine and N-acetyl neuraminic acid in
different proportions. Some of the isolated fractions were
found to enhance the growth of Bifidobacterium bifidus var.
Pennsylvanicus significantly at low concentrations.