Technological characterization and survival of the exopolysaccharide-producing strain Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis 193 and its bile-resistant derivative 193+ in simulated gastric and intestinal juices

The capacity of lactic acid bacteria to produce exopolysaccharides (EPS) conferring microorganisms a ropy phenotype could be an interesting feature from a technological point of view. Progressive adaptation to bile salts might render some lactobacilli able to overcome physiological gut barriers but could also modify functional properties of the strain, including the production of EPS. In this work some technological properties and the survival ability in simulated gastrointestinal conditions of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis 193, and Lb. delbrueckii subsp. lactis 193+, a strain with stable bile-resistant phenotype derived thereof, were characterized in milk in order to know whether the acquisition of resistance to bile could modify some characteristics of the microorganism. Both strains were able to grow and acidify milk similarly; however the production of ethanol increased at the expense of the aroma compound acetaldehyde in milk fermented by the strain 193+, with respect to milk fermented by the strain 193. Both microorganisms produced a heteropolysaccharide composed of glucose and galactose, and were able to increase the viscosity of fermented milks. In spite of the higher production yield of EPS by the bile-resistant strain 193+, it displayed a lower ability to increase viscosity than Lb. delbrueckii subsp. lactis 193. Milk increased survival in simulated gastric juice; the presence of bile improved adhesion to the intestinal cell line HT29-MTX in both strains. However, the acquisition of a stable resistance phenotype did not improve survival in simulated gastric and intestinal conditions or the adhesion to the intestinal cell line HT29-MTX. Thus, Lb. delbrueckii subsp. lactis 193 presents suitable technological properties for the manufacture of fermented dairy products; the acquisition of a stable bile-resistant phenotype modified some properties of the microorganism. This suggests that the possible use of bile-resistant derivative strains should be carefully evaluated in each specific application considering the influence that the acquisition of a stable bile-resistant phenotype could have in survival ability in gastric and intestinal conditions and in technological properties.     

Comparison of newly isolated strains of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis for hydrogen peroxide production at 5 degrees C

Isolates of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis obtained from raw milk samples were compared for the ability to produce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at 5 degrees C. Nineteen out of 101 lactobacilli isolated were identified as L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis. The isolates of L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis from most raw milk samples produced more H2O2 than did isolates of other species of lactobacilli from the same samples. Seven isolates of L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis, which produced the highest levels of H2O2 at 5 degrees C were selected for comparison with a laboratory strain, L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis I. In 24 h, isolate RM2-5 produced 7.0 microg/10(9) cfu in buffer containing 5 mM sodium lactate and 4.4 microg/10(9) cfu in buffer containing 5 mM glucose. Three other isolates also produced more H2O2 on sodium lactate than on glucose. However, three remaining new isolates produced more H2O2 on glucose than on sodium lactate. All seven of the most active new isolates of L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis produced significantly higher concentrations of H2O2 than did L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis I in both solutions. Strain RM2-5 produced more H2O2 than did the other six most active newly isolated strains of L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis in this comparison.     

青海省海西地区传统发酵山羊乳中乳酸菌的分离及鉴定

从采自青海省海西地区牧民家庭的11份以山羊奶为主要原料的传统发酵乳中分离得到33株乳酸菌，经过形态特征．生理生化特性，糖发酵试验和乳酸旋光性的测定，将这33株乳酸茵初步鉴定为7株Lldelbrueckiisubsp．Lactis，4株L．delbrueckii subsp．bulgaricus.3株L．acidophilus，1株L，coryniformis subsp，corynformis，12株S．thermophilus，Ped．日cidilaaici 3株，Ped．Unnaeequi 2株，Leu．mesenteriodes subsp.mesentemiodes 1株，其中，杆菌占所分离菌株的45．45％，球菌占所分离菌株的54．55％。     

The viability of three probiotic organisms grown with yoghurt starter cultures during storage for 21 days at 4°C

This study investigated the viability of probiotic ( Lactobacillus acidophilus LA5, Lactobacillus rhamnosus LBA and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp . lactis BL-04) in milk fermented with Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp . bulgaricus LB340 and Streptococcus thermophilus TAO (yoghurt – Y). Each probiotic strain was grown separately in co-culture with Y and in blends of different combinations. Blends affected fermentation time(s), pH and firmness during storage at 4°C. The product made with Y plus B. animalis subsp . lactis and L. rhamnosus had counts of viable cells at the end of shelf life that met the minimum required to achieve probiotic effect. However, L. acidophilus and L. delbrueckii subsp . bulgaricus were inhibited.     

酸乳菌种分离纯化方法

本文研究了在脱脂乳中保藏的发酵酸乳菌种的分离纯化方法。确定了德氏乳杆菌保加利亚亚种的分离纯化培养基为改良MRS,以10-2稀释度划线分离法在烛缸中厌氧培养可以达到很好的分离效果,添加2%的玉米浆后有利于纯菌株的生长;采用涂布分离法和真空袋培养,在链球菌基础培养基上可很好地分离出唾液链球菌嗜热亚种的纯菌株。经鉴定所分离出菌株为纯种后,采用斜面保藏在不含乳基质的培养基上,在15d内可以保持其活力。     

Effects of milk products fermented by Bifidobacterium longum on blood lipids in rats and healthy adult male volunteers

The effects of milk products fermented by Bifidobacterium longum strain BL1, a probiotic strain, on blood lipids in rats and humans were studied. Rats were fed a cholesterol-enriched experimental diet, supplemented with lyophilized powders of 1) acid milk (control), 2) milk fermented with a mixed culture of ordinary yogurt starters composed of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus (SL), and 3) bifidobacterium milk fermented with the probiotic B. longum strain BL1, respectively. The bifidobacterium milk feeding brought about significant lowering of the serum concentrations of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides, in comparison with the control, while no change in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration was observed. On the other hand, supplementation with SL milk resulted in only slight, nonsignificant decreases in serum lipid concentrations in comparison with the control. In the human study, 32 subjects with serum total cholesterol ranging from 220 to 280 mg/dl were randomly assigned to two treatments: 1) intake of a low-fat drinking yogurt prepared with ordinary yogurt starters composed of S. thermophilus and L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus (P-group) and 2) intake of a low-fat drinking yogurt prepared with the two ordinary yogurt starters plus B. longum strain BL1 (B-group). After intake for 4 wk at 3 x 100 ml/day, reduction of serum total cholesterol was observed in approximately half of the B-group subjects; a particularly significant decrease in serum total cholesterol was found among subjects with moderate hypercholesterolemia (serum total cholesterol > 240 mg/dl). However, the serum lipid concentrations in the P-group subjects were almost stable during the experimental periods. The present results indicate the potential of the probiotic B. longum strain BL1 in serum lipid improvement.     

A washed-curd goat's cheese as a vehicle for delivery of a potential probiotic bacterium: Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis UO 004

This study characterizes the probiotic properties of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis UO 004 and examines its suitability for making cheese. This strain was isolated from infant feces and shows interesting features, such as acid and bile tolerance, adherence to intestinal epithelial cells, and inhibition of the growth of certain enteropathogens, that support its potential use as a probiotic strain. In this regard, the suitability of a washed-curd cheese (Vidiago type) made with goat's milk as a delivery system for this probiotic strain was assessed. Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis UO 004 was incorporated into a starter culture (IPLA 001). Changes in the overall composition of control and experimental cheeses were determined during ripening through bacteriological, chemical, high-performance liquid chromatography, and gas chromatography analyses. Slight changes in the gross composition and appreciable differences in the flavor compounds profile were observed between control and experimental cheeses. This strain was capable of surviving at high cell numbers (10(8) to 10(9) CFU/g) in cheeses after 28 days of ripening without adversely affecting sensory criteria or appearance of the cheese, thus satisfying the criteria for a probiotic food product.     

Rep-PCR characterization and biochemical selection of lactic acid bacteria isolated from the Delta area of Egypt

Samples of raw milk and traditional dairy products were collected from different rural areas in the Delta region. 170 isolates from these products were identified using repetitive genomic element-PCR (Rep-PCR) fingerprinting. The identified isolates were tested for efficiency of biomass production and separation, acidifying activity, autolytic and aminopeptidase properties, antagonistic activities and exopolysaccharide production. The obtained results revealed that the Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis, Lactobacillus fermentum, Enterococcus faecium Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis were the predominant species in Egyptian dairy products. Two percent of Lactococcus, 10% of Lactobacillus and 1% of Enterococcus isolates showed fast acidifying activity. Aminopeptidase and autolytic properties were generally higher for most Lactobacillus strains when compared to other strains. Among these species, lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei was the highest in Aminopeptidase activity and autolytic properties. Antagonistic activity was detected in 40% of Lactococcus, 70% of Lactobacillus and 50% of Enterococcus isolates. Some isolates produced exopolysaccharides in milk and dairy products.     

开菲尔粒中乳酸菌的分离与鉴定

从4个不同来源的开菲尔粒中分离得到40株乳酸菌，并对这40株乳酸菌进行了鉴定．结果为德氏乳杆菌8株，德氏乳杆菌保加力亚种6株，高加索奶乳杆菌2株，嗜酸乳杆菌1株，粪肠球菌7株，屎肠球菌2株，嗜热链球菌1株，乳脂链球菌3株。     

Genotypic and phenotypic diversity of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis strains of dairy origin

Eighty-nine strains of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis isolated from Italian hard and semi-hard cheeses and artisan starter cultures were characterised by phenotypic and genotypic methods. Phenotypic diversity was evaluated by studying biochemical characteristics (i.e. acidifying and peptidase activities) of technological interest. Genotypic diversity was evidenced by RAPD-PCR and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Phenotypic characterisation indicated a wide variability of the acidifying activity within Lact. delbrueckii subsp. lactis. Although the data was variable, it allowed us to evidence groups of strains with different acidifying properties, especially in terms of acidification intensity. Concerning peptidase activity, Lact. delbrueckii subsp. lactis showed a homogeneously high x-prolil-dipeptidil-aminopeptidase activity and a considerable but more heterogeneous lysil-aminopeptidase activity. The increased resolution obtained by the use of two molecular typing techniques, i.e. RAPD-PCR and PFGE, allowed to widen the level of strain heterogeneity. Technological and ecological pressures are determinant in selecting Lact. delbrueckii subsp. lactis sub-populations which are more functional to the different cheese technologies.     

酸奶菌种冷冻干燥保护剂的筛选研究

本研究采用Plackett-Burman设计法，对蔗糖、麦芽糖、乳糖、果糖、葡萄糖、甘油、甘露醇、山梨醇、可溶性淀粉、明胶、抗坏血酸、谷氨酸钠、L-半胱氨酸盐酸盐以及脱脂奶粉等14种材料对德氏乳杆菌保加利亚亚种和唾液链球菌嗜热亚种冷冻干燥的保护效果进行评价。结果表明：对德氏乳杆菌保加利亚哑种在冷冻干燥中有显著保护作用的是蔗糖、甘油、山梨醇以及脱脂奶粉；而唾液链球菌嗜热亚种有效的冷冻干燥保护剂为甘油、谷氨酸钠和脱脂奶粉。     

德氏乳杆菌保加利亚亚种发酵对牛乳中β-酪蛋白抗原性的影响

复原脱脂牛乳经德氏乳杆菌保加利亚亚种发酵至凝乳,然后在4℃下冷藏5 d。用间接竞争ELISA法测定了其中β-酪蛋白(β-CN)的抗原残留量,并且对发酵样品的蛋白水解程度与滴定酸度进行了分析。结果表明,复原脱脂乳经90～95℃处理5 min后,β-CN的抗原残留量为60.25%,发酵过程中其抗原残留量持续下降,凝乳时下降到55.46%,而冷藏1 d后降到了最低值54.03%,随后又缓慢上升,冷藏3 d后为55.87%,继续冷藏至5 d,β-CN的抗原残留量基本没有变化,维持在55.5%与55.9%之间。因此采用德氏乳杆菌保加利亚亚种发酵能够在一定程度上降低牛乳中β-CN的抗原性,但是在冷藏5 d的过程中其抗原性又有一定程度的升高。     

Factors affecting capsule size and production by lactic acid bacteria used as dairy starter cultures

The effects of sugar substrates on capsule size and production by some capsule-forming nonropy and ropy dairy starter cultures were studied. Test sugars (glucose, lactose, galactose, or sucrose) were used as a sole carbohydrate source and the presence of a capsule and its size were determined by using confocal scanning laser microscopy. Nonropy strains produced maximum capsule size when grown in milk. Strains that did not produce capsules in milk did not produce them in any other growth medium. Specific sugars required for capsule production were strain-dependent. Increasing lactose content of Elliker broth from 0.5 to 5% or adding whey protein or casein digest produced larger capsules. Whey protein concentrate stimulated production of larger capsules than did casamino acids or casitone. Some Streptococcus thermophilus strains produced capsules when grown on galactose only. Nonropy strains of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus produced capsules on lactose, but not on glucose. A ropy strain of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus produced a constant capsule size regardless of the growth medium. The ability of some strains of Streptococcus thermophilus to use galactose in capsule production could reduce browning of mozzarella cheese during baking by removing a source of reducing sugar. Media that do not support capsule production may improve cell harvesting.     

INSTRUMENTAL TEXTURE OF SET AND STIRRED FERMENTED MILK. EFFECT OF A ROPY STRAIN OF LACTOBACILLUS DELBRUECKII SUBSP. BULGARICUS AND AN ENRICHED SUBSTRATE

Texture profile analysis (TPA) of stirred and set cultured milk were evaluated, using an exopolysaccharide producing strain of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus (NCFB 2772) and a protein enriched substrate (retentate). In both cases, samples were compared respectively with a nonropy strain (NCFB 1489) and reconstituted skim milk substrate. The retentate fermented products were firmer in comparison with skim milk products, both at 10% of total solids. A loss of structure occurred when the retentate products were stirred causing a nine-fold decrease in hardness, whereas in cultured milk products the loss was of around three-fold. The main differences were found in adhesiveness and fracture characteristics. Set retentate ropy product was five times more adhesive than the nonropy one, whereas in stirred retentate and set skim milk products the difference was two-fold. No differences in adhesiveness were detected when skim milk products were stirred using either strain. The fracture force on ropy retentate samples increased after fracture while the nonropy ones showed a decrease, implying more structural breakdown in the latter. On set products, cohesiveness increased slightly due to the ropy strain. Changes in texture observed between ropy and nonropy strains can be attributed to exopolysaccharide attachment to the casein matrix being increased when the protein content is higher.     

固定化乳酸菌发酵胡萝卜酸奶工艺研究

通过固定化乳酸菌发酵胡萝卜酸奶,建立新的胡萝卜酸奶发酵工艺。经过单因素试验和正交试验,确定固定化乳酸菌发酵胡萝卜酸奶的配方和发酵工艺。胡萝卜酸奶的配方：奶粉9g、胡萝卜13g、白砂糖8g、蒸馏水100mL。胡萝卜酸奶发酵工艺：固定化德氏乳杆菌保加利亚亚种与固定化唾液链球菌嗜热亚种的比为2:1 接种发酵液(菌种的总添加量为6g/100mL)、在37℃发酵培养7h、然后4℃冷藏12h。结果表明,采用固定化乳酸菌新技术可以发酵生产营养丰富、口感良好的胡萝卜酸奶。     

Streptococcus thermophilus 580 produces a bacteriocin potentially suitable for inhibition of Clostridium tyrobutyricum in hard cheese

A strain of Streptococcus thermophilus that inhibits Clostridium tyrobutyricum has been isolated from raw milk. The active compound produced disappears after a treatment with protease. However, unlike most bacteriocins, it is not thermoresistant, and the activity is completely lost after 1 h at 60 degrees C. Its inhibitory spectrum is limited to other thermophilic streptococci, Brochothrix, and sporulated gram-positive rods. So this bacteriocin could be different from those already described. This bacteriocin-producing strain could be used in thermophilic starter for hard cheese making because the bacteriocin is not active against thermophilic lactobacilli. It is produced in M17 medium during the decreasing temperature phase of the hard cheese-making process temperature cycle and is also produced in milk. Moreover, when Streptococcus thermophilus was cocultured with a Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis starter strain, it seems to enhance the bacteriocin production. However the level of activity always decreases drastically during the stationary phase. But inhibition of Clostridium tyrobutyricum spores can be obtained in small-scale curds.     

The microbiology of South African traditional fermented milks

A total of 15 samples of traditional fermented milk were collected from individual households in South Africa and Namibia. Lactic acid bacteria dominated the microflora of these samples, especially the genera Leuconostoc, Lactococcus and Lactobacillus. Other groups identified included pyogenic streptococci and enterococci. The dominant lactococci species was Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis. Eighty-three percent of the leuconostoc isolates were identified as Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. dextranicum. Other species identified included Leuconostoc citreum, Leuconostoc lactis, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis and Lactobacillus plantarum.     

Proteolytic degradation of ewe milk proteins during fermentation of yoghurts and storage

Yoghurts are mostly produced from cow milk and to a very limited extent from ewe milk. The evolution of caseins and whey proteins in ovine milk submitted to different thermal treatments (63 degrees C/30 min; 73 degrees C/15 min; 85 degrees C/10 min or 96 degrees C/5 min) was followed during fermentation of yoghurts and during their storage up to 14 days, using two different sets of starters. One set of starter LAB was a "ropy" culture (YC-191), which is a well-defined mixed strain culture containing Streptococcus thermophilus ST-143 and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus (LB-18 and LB-CH2). The other set of starter bacteria (YC-460) was a standard yoghurt culture("non-ropy") containing mixed strain culture of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus. Contents of free amino groups in produced yoghurts increased gradually during the fermentation, up to a maximal value obtained after 4 h fermentation, then they did not change significantly during storage of yoghurt produced with YC-191 starter. In contrary, a large drop in the amount of free amino groups was observed in the first 24 h of storage in the case of yoghurt made with YC-460 indicating that microorganisms continue still to grow in low temperatures. During fermentation and storage of both yoghurt types, alpha-lactalbumin was hydrolyzed to a slightly bigger extent than beta-lactoglobulin. During fermentation, beta-casein was slightly more degraded than alpha(s)-caseins; however, the opposite was observed during storage up to 14 days. Generally, a more intense heat pretreatment led to a higher degradation of whey proteins and caseins during fermentation and storage. Differences in proteolytic activity between the two starters used (whey proteins more degraded by YC-191; caseins more degraded by YC-460) may lead to improvement in production and formulation of yoghurts differing in their physicochemical and rheological properties.     

A new method for manufacture of lactose-hydrolysed fermented milk

Lactose-hydrolysed fermented milk was manufactured by sonication in the course of fermentation. The milk was inoculated with Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp bulgaricus or L helveticus, incubated for 4 h, sonicated, and incubated for an additional 12 h. The sonication resulted in 71–74% depletion of the initial lactose whereas 39–51% lactose hydrolysis was obtained in non-sonicated milk.     

Factors influencing autoaggregation and aggregation of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus isolated from handmade yogurt

Of 26 Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus strains isolated from yogurt, strains B2 and 22, which produce low levels (28 and 21 mg liter(-1), respectively) of extracellular polysaccharides (EPSs), and strains B3 and G12, which produce high EPS levels (211 and 175 mg liter(-1), respectively), were selected for further study. The two high EPS-producing strains showed a significant autoaggregation and coaggregation ability with Escherichia coli ATCC 11230 (P < 0.05). Moreover, the effect of bile was evaluated on autoaggregation and hydrophobicity. Autoaggregation and hydrophobicity of these L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus strains decreased after treatment with bile. Only the high EPS-producing L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus strain B3 showed greater autoaggregation (80%) and hydrophobicity (86%) than the other strains after bile treatment. When these strains were assessed for the inhibition of E. coli ATCC 11230 in coculture, L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus B3 completely inhibited E. coli during 24 and 48 h of incubation. This investigation showed that a high EPS production and coaggregation ability may be important in the selection of probiotic strains.