β-Aspartylpeptidase activity, a microflora associated characteristic (MAC); Its presence in different strains of anaerobic bacteria

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Abstract
β-Aspartylglycine can adequately be used as an indicator of colonisation-resistance as its presence reflects the absence of β-aspartylpeptide-degrading activity originating from a substantial number of different strains of anaerobic bacteria. In this study, 14 strains of anaerobic bacteria were isolated from human faeces and the β-aspartyl-peptide-degrading activity in these bacteria was determined by a high-performance liquid chromatography assay. In 12 of 14 strains this activity was present, which indicates that its absence indeed reflects a substantial disturbance of the anaerobic bacterial flora. In addition, the assay was used to determine β-aspartylpeptidase activity in faecal supernatants of healthy volunteers and decontaminated patients.