FIG 3.

(A) Growth of L. acidophilus NCFM on different α-glucans. (B) Relative cell-associated pullulan-hydrolyzing activity of L. acidophilus NCFM cells harvested after 10 h of growth on the α-glucans shown in panel A. (C) Growth of L. acidophilus NCFM on a total 0.5% (wt/vol) mixture of maltose, maltotriose, and maltotetraose (1:1:1, based on weight). Its utilization of the substrates was analyzed by HPAEC-PAD. Only the debranched maltose (mainly) and maltotriose are used from β-limit dextrin during growth on this substrate, which explains the much lower degree of growth per mass of substrate compared to maltose.