Abstract: The present invention provides a bacterium belonging to the genus Bifidobacterium, which can exhibit a high viability in the storage under agitation and can produce a fermented food containing a large number of viable bacterial count. The present invention further provides a fermented food, which contains the bacterium belonging to the genus Bifidobacterium and exhibits various physiological effects such as inhibitory action against harmful intestinal bacteria and intestinal function controlling effects. The present invention further provides a bacterium belonging to the genus Bifidobacterium having a rate of viability of 30% or more, when the bacterium is stored in the aerobic condition under agitation at 10° C. for 14 days after culturing in a medium containing milk as a main ingredient until obtaining a viable count of 1×108 cfu/ml or more, and fermented food using the same.

Abstract: A Bifidobacterium that is resistant to acid and bile and which retains at least 20% viability after acid and bile treatment. Foods and drinks containing an acid- and bile-resistant Bifidobacterium. Methods for providing viable Bifidobacteria to the intestine after ingestion of a food or drink containing an acid- and bile-resistant Bifidobacterium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bacterium belonging to the genus Bifidobacterium, which can exhibit a high viability in the storage under agitation and can produce a fermented food containing a large number of viable bacterial count. The present invention further provides a fermented food, which contains the bacterium belonging to the genus Bifidobacterium and exhibits various physiological effects such as inhibitory action against harmful intestinal bacteria and intestinal function controlling effects. The present invention further provides a bacterium belonging to the genus Bifidobacterium having a rate of viability of 30% or more, when the bacterium is stored in the aerobic condition under agitation at 10° C. for 14 days after culturing in a medium containing milk as a main ingredient until obtaining a viable count of 1×108 cfu/ml or more, and fermented food using the same.

Abstract: Provided is a method of assessing the extent to which Bifidobacterium bacteria in a Bifidobacterium-bacteria-containing fermented milk food or drink reach the intestines when the food or drink is orally administered to human beings, which comprises subjecting the fermented milk food or drink to successive treatments with an acid and bile, and measuring the bacterial viability after the treatments.