低聚糖在瑞士乳杆菌和嗜热链球菌冷冻干燥过程中的保护作用

为研究瑞士乳杆菌MB2-1(Lactobacillus helveticus MB2-1)和嗜热链球菌(Streptococcus thermophilus MB5-1)的发酵特性,同时考察不同浓度的低聚半乳糖(galactooligosaccharides,GOS)和低聚果糖(fructo oligosaccharide,FOS)在L. helveticus MB2-1和S. thermophilus MB5-1离心和冻干条件下的保护作用,测定了2株菌发酵过程中p H值、残糖量等5个指标,以及GOS、FOS作为保护剂在L. helveticus MB2-1和S. thermophilus MB5-1离心冻干前后活菌数的变化情况。结果表明,L. helveticus MB2-1和S. thermophilus MB5-1均具有较好的底物利用能力和生长情况,可作为乳品等产品的菌种发酵剂来源;在对2种乳酸菌离心的保护作用中,FOS的保护效果均优于GOS,在质量浓度为300 g/L时,菌体存活率分别达到82. 82%和68. 03%;而在对菌体冻干的保护作用中,质量浓度为200和300 g/L的GOS的保护效果优于FOS,且在相同低聚糖浓度下,对L. helveticus MB2-1的保护效果要优于S. thermophilus MB5-1。该研究表明低聚糖作为乳酸菌发酵剂的保护剂具有广阔的应用前景。     

Selective enumeration of Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus,Streptococcus thermophilus,Lactobacillus acidophilus,bifidobacteria, Lactobacillus casei,Lactobacillus rhamnosus,and propionibacteria

Nineteen bacteriological media were evaluated to assess their suitability to selectively enumerate Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus, Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, bifidobacteria, and propionibacteria. Bacteriological media evaluated included Streptococcus thermophilus agar, pH modified MRS agar, MRS-vancomycine agar, MRS-bile agar, MRS-NaCl agar, MRS-lithium chloride agar, MRS-NNLP (nalidixic acid, neomycin sulfate, lithium chloride and paramomycine sulfate) agar, reinforced clostridial agar, sugar-based (such as maltose, galactose, sorbitol, manitol, esculin) media, sodium lactate agar, arabinose agar, raffinose agar, xylose agar, and L. casei agar. Incubations were carried out under aerobic and anaerobic conditions at 27, 30, 37, 43, and 45 degrees C for 24, 72 h, and 7 to 9 d. S. thermophilus agar and aerobic incubation at 37 degrees C for 24 h were suitable for S. thermophilus. L. delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus could be enumerated using MRS agar (pH 4.58 or pH 5.20) and under anaerobic incubation at 45 degrees C for 72 h. MRS-vancomycine agar and anaerobic incubation at 43 degrees C for 72 h were suitable to enumerate L. rhamnosus. MRS-vancomycine agar and anaerobic incubation at 37 degrees C for 72 h were selective for L. casei. To estimate the counts of L. casei by subtraction method, counts of L. rhamnosus on MRS-vancomycine agar at 43 degrees C for 72 h under anaerobic incubation could be subtracted from total counts of L. casei and L. rhamnosus enumerated on MRS-vancomycine agar at 37 degrees C for 72 h under anaerobic incubation. L. acidophilus could be enumerated using MRS-agar at 43 degrees C for 72 h or Basal agar-maltose agar at 43 degrees C for 72 h or BA-sorbitol agar at 37 degrees C for 72 h, under anaerobic incubation. Bifidobacteria could be enumerated on MRS-NNLP agar under anaerobic incubation at 37 degrees C for 72 h. Propionibacteria could be enumerated on sodium lactate agar under anaerobic incubation at 30 degrees C for 7 to 9 d. A subtraction method was most suitable for counting propionibacteria in the presence of other lactic acid bacteria from a product. For this method, counts of lactic bacteria at d 3 on sodium lactate agar under anaerobic incubation at 30 degrees C were subtracted from counts at d 7 of lactic bacteria and propionibacteria.     

保加利亚乳杆菌和嗜热链球菌相互作用的研究

探讨了嗜热链球菌和保加利亚乳杆菌之间的相互作用(拮抗和共生效果)，指出这两个菌种的许多菌株在代谢过程中会产生过氧化氢、细菌素等抑菌性物质，导致嗜热链球菌与保加利亚乳杆菌间表现出非协同生长的现象。在此基础上，建立了评价发酵剂之间相互作用的新的指标体系，旨在方便优良酸奶发酵剂菌种的筛选工作。     

Influence of casein hydrolysates on the growth and lactic acid production of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus

The growth performance of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus (L. bulgaricus) and Streptococcus thermophilus (S. thermophilus) was determined in the presence of casein hydrolysates produced by the action of five proteolytic enzymes (Alcalase, Flavorzyme, Neutrase, Papain and Trypsin) with various degrees of hydrolysis (DH). In addition, these five kinds of casein hydrolysates were fractionated by ultrafiltration and the influence of the amino acid composition of the peptides on the growth and lactic acid yield of yoghurt lactic acid bacteria (LAB) was studied. The results showed that the ultrafiltered fraction (<3000 Da) was the determinant stimulator in crude hydrolysates. Furthermore, the hydrophilic amino acid residua including His, Lys, Glu and Ser were beneficial for bacterial growth. Compared with control, the cell growth and lactic acid yield of yoghurt LAB were increased with the supplementation of the peptides fraction (<3000 Da) produced with papain by 65.1% and 49.6%, respectively.     

保加利亚乳杆菌与嗜热链球菌共生机理的研究进展

乳酸菌在乳中的共生机制是非常复杂的网络体系。通过对蛋白质代谢、核苷酸碱基代谢、氧化性应激以及碳源物质代谢等方面的研究,对保加利亚乳杆菌与嗜热链球菌共生机理的研究进展进行详细的阐述。旨在为发酵剂菌体的筛选及应用提供参考。     

Selective and differential enumerations of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium spp. in yoghurt--a review

Yoghurt is increasingly being used as a carrier of probiotic bacteria for their potential health benefits. To meet with a recommended level of ≥ 10⁶ viable cells/g of a product, assessment of viability of probiotic bacteria in market preparations is crucial. This requires a working method for selective enumeration of these probiotic bacteria and lactic acid bacteria in yoghurt such as Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, Lb. acidophilus, Lb. casei and Bifidobacterium. This chapter presents an overview of media that could be used for differential and selective enumerations of yoghurt bacteria. De Man Rogosa Sharpe agar containing fructose (MRSF), MRS agar pH 5.2 (MRS 5.2), reinforced clostridial prussian blue agar at pH 5.0 (RCPB 5.0) or reinforced clostridial agar at pH 5.3 (RCA 5.3) are suitable for enumeration of Lb. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus when the incubation is carried out at 45 °C for 72 h. S. thermophilus (ST) agar and M17 are recommended for selective enumeration of S. thermophilus. Selective enumeration of Lb. acidophilus in mixed culture could be made in Rogosa agar added with 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (X-Glu) or MRS containing maltose (MRSM) and incubation in a 20% CO₂ atmosphere. Lb. casei could be selectively enumerated on specially formulated Lb. casei (LC) agar from products containing yoghurt starter bacteria (S. thermophilus and Lb. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus), Lb. acidophilus, Bifidobacterium spp. and Lb. casei. Bifidobacterium could be enumerated on MRS agar supplemented with nalidixic acid, paromomycin, neomycin sulphate and lithium chloride (MRS-NPNL) under anaerobic incubation at 37 °C for 72 h.     

Development of a pentaplex PCR assay for the simultaneous detection of Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis, L. helveticus, L. fermentum in whey starter for Grana Padano cheese

A pentaplex PCR assay for the rapid, selective and simultaneous detection of Lactobacillus helveticus, L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis, L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, Streptococcus thermophilus, and L. fermentum, was developed. The target sequences were a group of genes coding for beta-galactosidase production (S. thermophilus and L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus), for cell-enveloped associated proteinase synthesis (L. helveticus), for dipeptide transport system production (L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis) and for arginine-ornithine antiporter protein production (L. fermentum). The analytical specificity of the assay was evaluated with 5 reference strains and 140 lactic acid bacterial strains derived from raw milk cheeses and belonging to the Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Lactococcus and Enterococcus genera. The identification limit for each target strain was 10³ CFU/ml. This new molecular assay was used to investigate the LAB population by direct extraction of DNA from the 12 whey cultures for Grana Padano. The pentaplex PCR assay revealed a good correspondence with microbiological analyses and allowed to identify even minor LAB community members which, can be out-competed in vitro by numerically more abundant microbial species.     

Influence of temperature on associative growth of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus

Compatibility of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus during associative growth as dependent on optimum growth temperature was determined. Optimum growth temperatures for 9 strains of S. thermophilus and 10 strains of L. bulgaricus ranged from 35 to 42 degrees C for S. thermophilus and 43 to 46 degrees C for L. bulgaricus. Streptococcus thermophilus and L. bulgaricus strains exhibiting similar to divergent optimum growth temperatures were combined (1:1 vol/vol) and incubated in milk at 37, 42, and 45 degrees C until pH 4.2 was reached. Initial and postincubation cell numbers were determined by plate count method. Streptococcus thermophilus strains reached greater cell numbers than L. bulgaricus at 37, 42, and 45 degrees C in 93.3% of the mixed culture trials. Average rod-coccus ratios obtained at 37, 42, and 45 degrees C were 1:2.2, 1:8, and 1:2.4, respectively. Optimum growth temperatures had no influence on growth of L. bulgaricus and S. thermophilus in mixed culture. Rather, temperature appeared to influence compatibility by determining the concentration or type of stimulatory factor(s) produced by L. bulgaricus. All strains of S. thermophilus exhibited an uncoupling of growth from acid production. Optimum temperature for acid production ranged from 2 to 8 degrees C above optimum growth temperature. These findings warrant consideration in the manufacture of yogurt and other fermented milk products.     

Effect of lactose hydrolysis on the milk-fermenting properties of Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus 2038 and Streptococcus thermophilus 1131

Yogurt is a well-known nutritious and probiotic food and is traditionally fermented from milk using the symbiotic starter culture of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus. However, yogurt consumption may cause health problems in lactose-intolerant individuals, and the demand for lactose-free yogurt has been increasing. The standard method to prepare lactose-free yogurt is to hydrolyze milk by lactase; however, this process has been reported to influence the fermentation properties of starter strains. This study aimed to investigate the fermentation properties of an industrial starter culture of L. bulgaricus 2038 and S. thermophilus 1131 in lactose-hydrolyzed milk and to examine the metabolic changes induced by glucose utilization. We found that the cell number of L. bulgaricus 2038, exopolysaccharide concentration, and viscosity in the coculture of L. bulgaricus 2038 and S. thermophilus 1131 was significantly increased in lactose-hydrolyzed milk compared with that in unhydrolyzed milk. Although the cell number of S. thermophilus 1131 showed no difference, production of formic acid and reduction of dissolved oxygen were enhanced in lactose-hydrolyzed milk. Further, in lactose-hydrolyzed milk, S. thermophilus 1131 was found to have increased the expression of NADH oxidase, which is responsible for oxygen reduction. These results indicated that glucose utilization promoted S. thermophilus 1131 to rapidly reduce the dissolved oxygen amount and produce a high concentration of formic acid, presumably resulting in the increased cell number of L. bulgaricus 2038 in the coculture. Our study provides basic information on the metabolic changes in starter strains in lactose-hydrolyzed milk, and demonstrates that lactose-free yogurt with increased cell number of L. bulgaricus can be prepared without delay in fermentation and decrease in the cell number of S. thermophilus.     

Effect of 'ropy' strains of Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus on rheology of stirred yogurt

The TA-TX2 Texture Analyser and the Brookfield RVT Viscometer have been used to investigate the contribution of ropiness to the texture of stirred yogurts made using ropy strains of bacteria. Back extrusion and texture profile analysis, not commonly used to quantify rheological properties of semi-solid foods, have been found useful in distinguishing the contribution of exopolysaccharides to different texture attributes (Toba et al ., 1990). Thus ropiness, a characteristic which is imparted to the product as a result of fermentation with particular polysaccharide-producing strains, contributes to 'adhesiveness', while 'firmness' and 'elasticity' are likely to be influenced more by the protein matrix of the yogurt than by secretion of the polysaccharide by the ropy strains. Effects on viscosity and ability to recover viscosity after disruption were apparent, although the contribution of ropiness was not always positive. Ropy strains increased viscosity of stirred yogurts when compared to yogurt made with non-ropy cultures. But, whilst a ropy Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus (Lb r⁺) combined with a non-ropy Streptococcus thermophilus (St r⁻) produced a viscous product which recovered its viscosity well, a yogurt made by combining both ropy strains did not recover its viscosity as well as yogurt made by combining two non-ropy cultures and lost its structure more rapidly during the destructive testing. These results show therefore that inclusion of a ropy strain will not always lead to improved texture attributes, that while ropy strains may increase viscosity they may not influence 'firmness' and lend support to the view that this latter attribute is more influenced by protein–protein interactions.     

Impact of a plant extract on the viability of Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus in nonfat yogurt

The effect of a plant extract (prepared from olive, garlic, onion and citrus with sodium acetate as a carrier) on the viability of yogurt starter cultures was studied. Nonfat yogurt was prepared with various levels of supplements: plant extract (0, 0.5 or 1.0%, w/v) or l-cysteine HCl (0.014 or 0.028%, w/w). Microbial and physicochemical analyses were conducted weekly for 50 days. Fermentation time increased for supplemented yogurts compared with the non-supplemented yogurt. Lactobacillus bulgaricus counts in supplemented yogurts were >6 log cfu mL^?1 for a longer time (7–21 days) compared with the non-supplemented yogurt. Streptococcus thermophilus counts in all yogurts were > 6 log cfu mL^?1 throughout the storage. Overall, redox potential and titratable acidity of yogurts on day 50 were greater compared with day 1, but pH and syneresis were less. Plant extract at 0.5% enhanced L. bulgaricus viability in nonfat yogurt while least affecting the physicochemical characteristics.     

菌株性能及球杆菌比例对酸奶品质的影响

分析测定了从某直投式发酵剂中分离的两株嗜热链球菌（Streptococcus thermophilus）S.t S1、S.t R1和一株保加利亚乳杆菌（Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp.bulgaricus）L.bL1的发酵性能,并将球菌与杆菌以不同比例组合发酵,比较酸奶发酵时间、粘度、乳清析出、后酸化和感官评价差异。结果表明,嗜热链球菌S.tS1生长速度略慢于S.tR1,酸化速度相当,但S.tS1的胞外多糖产量和发酵乳粘度明显高于S.tR1,保加利亚乳杆菌L.bL1的上述性能均比两株球菌差。S.tS1与L.bL1菌株以100：1的比例进行组合发酵时,粘度达0.549Pa·s;乳清析出仅2.5mL/10g;4℃冷藏保存15d后,酸度上升12°T,酸奶产品各项指标优于其他菌株组合。菌株性能和组合方式对酸奶产品的品质具有显著的影响。     

Differentiation of Enterococcus faecium from Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus strains by PCR and dot-blot hybridisation

Variations in length and sequence of the 16S/23S spacer region of Enterococcus faecium provided the basis for development of simple PCR and dot-blot hybridisation assays that enabled the differentiation of potentially probiotic Enterococcus faecium strains from Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus. Such assays may be useful for differentiation of yoghurt starter cultures and enterococcal strains when they are simultaneously present in probiotic food products.     

酸乳中乳杆菌和链球菌的实时荧光定量分析

采用实时荧光定量分析了酸乳中的德氏乳杆菌L2和嗜热链球菌S1的数量,德氏乳杆菌L2的活菌数与细胞循环数的相互关系曲线为Y=-2.936logX+34.72(R2=0.998),采用平板计数法获得的样品中L2浓度为8.82×10smL-1,荧光定量的结果是8.78×108mL-1;嗜热链球菌S1活菌数与细胞循环教的相互关系曲线为Y=-3.03910gX+35.45(R2=0.995),采用平板计数法,获得的样品中嗜热链球菌S1浓度1.08×108mL-1,荧光定量的结果是1.06×108mL-1.实时荧光定量的方法适合于酸乳中乳酸菌的快速计数.     

The critical role of urease in yogurt fermentation with various combinations of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus

The protocooperation between Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus relies on metabolite exchanges that accelerate acidification during yogurt fermentation. Conflicting results have been obtained in terms of the effect of the Strep. thermophilus urease and the NH₃ and CO₂ that it generates on the rate of acidification in yogurt fermentation. It is difficult to perform a systematic study of the effects of urease on protocooperation because it is necessary to distinguish among the direct, indirect, and strain-specific effects resulting from the combination of the strains of both species. To evaluate the direct effects of urease on protocooperation, we generated 3 urease-deficient mutants (ΔureC) of fast- and slow-acidifying Strep. thermophilus strains and observed the effects of NH₃ or CO₂ supplementation on acidification by the ΔureC strains. Further, we examined 5 combinations of 3 urease-deficient ΔureC strains with 2 CO₂-responsive or CO₂-unresponsive strains of L. bulgaricus. Urease deficiency induced a shortage of ammonia nitrogen and CO₂ for the fast- and slow-acidifying Strep. thermophilus and for the CO₂-responsive L. bulgaricus, respectively. Notably, the shortage of ammonia nitrogen had more severe effects than that of CO₂ on yogurt fermentation, even if coculture with L. bulgaricus masked the effect of urease deficiency. Our work established (1) that urease deficiency inhibits the fermentative acceleration of protocooperation regardless of the Strep. thermophilus and L. bulgaricus strain combinations, and (2) that urease is an essential factor for effective yogurt acidification.     

Modelling the interactions between Lactobacillus curvatus and Enterobacter cloacae. I. Individual growth kinetics

Mixed cultures of Lactobacillus curvatus and Enterobacter cloacae were chosen as a model system to quantitatively study microbial interactions involved in food spoilage and food preservation. In this paper models were developed to predict the individual behaviour of L. curvatus and E. cloacae in pure suspension cultures as a function of the glucose and lactate concentration and the pH. In a second paper these models will be used to predict the moment of interaction in mixed suspension cultures and the cell concentrations at this moment. The effect of pH on the maximum specific growth rate could be described by a parabolic equation for L. curvatus and E. cloacae. E. cloacae is clearly more sensitive to a pH decrease than L. curvatus, as may be concluded from the theoretical minimum pH for growth of 5.6 for E. cloacae and 4.3 for L. curvatus. For both organisms no effect of glucose on the maximum specific growth rate could be detected and Monod kinetics with a low Monod constant was assumed. For L. curvatus the effect of lactate on the maximum specific growth rate at different initial pH values could be described by a linear relationship. For E. cloacae a slight effect of lactate on the maximum specific growth rate could only be detected at pH 7. However, this effect was negligible compared to the effect of the pH. For both organisms the lag time was modelled by the inverse of the specific growth rate. It can be concluded that, with regard to interactions between L. curvatus and E. cloacae, the pH is likely to be the most important factor in the case where L. curvatus is the dominant organism. Substrate limitation is likely to become important in the case where E. cloacae is the dominant organism or for media with a high buffer capacity.     

Molecular methods for identification of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus using methionine biosynthesis and 16S rRNA genes

Yoghurt and starter culture producers are still searching strains of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus to produce healthier yogurt with longer shelf life, better texture, taste and quality. However, selective identification of Lb. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Strep. thermophilus from a mixed population using microbiological and biochemical methods is difficult, time consuming and may not be accurate. In this study, a quick, sensitive and accurate method is proposed to identify both Lb. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Strep. thermophilus using PCR. The method is comprised of two parts. In the first part, methionine biosynthesis genes, known to be present in both species were partially amplified by designed primers (cysmet2F and cysmet2R). Partial amplification of the methionine biosynthesis gene which gives 700 bp fragment resulted in selective identification of Lb. bulgaricus and Strep. thermophilus. All 16 Lb. bulgaricus and 6 Strep. thermophilus isolates assessed by this method gave the expected amplification. On the other hand, further analysis of other closely related species with the same primers have indicated that the same product was also amplified in two more lactobacilli namely, Lb. delbrueckii subsp. lactis and Lb. helveticus species. Thus, in the second part of the method, further differentiation of Lb. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Strep. thermophilus from each other and these species was achieved using restriction analysis of 16S rRNA gene with EcoRI.     

Short communication: effect of oxygen on symbiosis between Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus

Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus (L. bulgaricus) and Streptococcus thermophilus are traditionally used for the manufacture of yogurt. It is said that a symbiotic relationship exists between Strep. thermophilus and L. bulgaricus and this decreases fermentation time. It is well known that L. bulgaricus is stimulated by the formate produced by Strep. thermophilus, and Strep. thermophilus is stimulated by free amino acids and peptides liberated from milk proteins by L. bulgaricus in symbiotic fermentation. We found that acid production by starter culture LB81 composed of L. bulgaricus 2038 and Strep. thermophilus 1131 was greatly accelerated by decreasing dissolved oxygen (DO) to almost 0 mg/kg in the yogurt mix (reduced dissolved oxygen fermentation) and that DO interferes with the symbiotic relationship between L. bulgaricus 2038 and Strep. thermophilus 1131. We attributed the acceleration of acid production of LB81 by reduced dissolved oxygen fermentation mainly to the acceleration of formate production and the suppression of acid production of LB81 by DO mainly to the suppression of formate production.     

Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus和Streptococcus thermophilus接种比例对Bifidobacterium lactis益生菌发酵乳品质的影响

将Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp.bulgaricus ND02(LB-ND02)和Streptococcus thermophilus ND03(ST-ND03)按1∶1、1∶10、1∶100、1∶1000接种于脱脂乳中,同时接入益生菌Bifidobacterium lactis V9(B.lactis V9,接种量为2.0×107g-1),于42℃进行发酵。通过对发酵及贮藏过程中发酵乳指标的测定,评价LB-ND02和ST-ND03的接种比例对发酵乳品质的影响。结果表明,随着LB-ND02接种比例减小,凝乳时间显著延长,B.lactis V9活菌数显著提高。4℃贮藏28 d后,随LB-ND02接种比例减小,B.lactis V9存活率差异显著,后酸化也显著减弱。研究发现,LB-ND02和ST-ND03的接种比例,显著影响发酵乳的发酵时间、B.lactis V9活菌数、后酸化及黏度。     

The differential enumeration of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subspecies bulgaricus and Streptococcus salivarius subspecies thermophilus in yogurt and labneh using an improved whey medium

Bromocresol green whey agar (BGWA), an elective differential medium for yogurt bacteria, was prepared by mixing 2 parts of whey obtained by autoclaving (121°C/15 min) reconstituted non-fat dry milk (NFDM) (15% w/w; pH 5.7 by 1 N HCl) with 1 part of a sterile agar solution (115°C/15 min) containing 3% yeast extract, 1.2% K₂HPO₄, 0.004% bromocresol green and 4% agar. Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp bulgaricus colonies in BGWA pour plates were light in colour and in the form of an irregular mass with twisted filament projections, while Streptococcus salivarius subsp thermophilus colonies were green lenticular with entire edges. BGWA performed generally better than deMan-Rogosa-Sharpe agar and M17 agar when L bulgaricus and S thermophilus respectively were enumerated in samples of commercial yogurt and labneh (yogurt concentrated by removing part of its whey) and in single cultures of yogurt bacteria in NFDM. Immediately after processing, the counts of yogurt bacteria in labneh samples were similar to those of yogurt samples, indicating a loss of these bacteria with whey during processing. The decrease in the numbers of yogurt bacteria in labneh samples at the end of the shelf-life (14 days at 7°C) was slight, indicating a relative resistance of these bacteria to acidity and refrigeration.