This study focuses on the effects of 5 prebiotics (low and high molecular weight dextrans, fructooligosaccharides, inulin and lactulose) on 6 bifidobacteria strains (Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis, B. animalis subsp. animalis, B. bifidum, B. breve, B. longum subsp. infantis and B. longum) in a laboratory medium. Two different assays were conducted (a growth experiment-for all the strains-and a survival assay-for B. animalis subsp. lactis and B. breve). Glucose was used as positive control. Growth assay pinpointed that lactulose could be successfully used to promote bifidobacteria and attain a growth index for B. animalis subsp. animalis and B. longum subsp. infantis higher than with glucose. Concerning the bifidogenic effect, it is not clear if it could be observed also during the death phase, as we recovered a beneficial effect for B. breve but not for B. animalis subsp. lactis.