Bifidobacterium

Overview
Bifidobacterium is a genus of Gram-positive, non-motile, often branched anaerobic bacteria. Bifidobacteria are one of the major genera of bacteria that make up the gut flora, the bacteria that reside in the colon. Bifidobacteria aid in digestion, are associated with a lower incidence of allergies (Björkstén et al., 2004) and also prevent some forms of tumor growth (Guarner and Malagelada, 2003). Some bifidobacteria are being used as probiotics.

Before the 1960s, Bifidobacterium species used to be collectively referred to as "Lactobacillus bifidus".