Abstract
Lactobacillus isolates from infant feces were identified and investigated in vitro for their probiotic properties. The isolates belonged to the species L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus, L. paracasei subsp. paracasei, L. fermentum, L. delbrueckii subsp. delbrueckii, L. cellobiosus, L. plantarum, L. brevis and L. crispatus. The strains were examined for acid and bile tolerance, adhesion to Caco-2 cells, antibiotic susceptibility and antimicrobial activity against selected enteric pathogens. According to the obtained results, a L. deblueckii subsp. delbrueckii strain was found to exhibit probiotic properties. Other strains from L. paracasei subsp. paracasei and L. fermentum group also could be further investigated as potential probiotic candidates.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We would like to thank Dr. A. Pintzas and Dr. A. Voulgari from the National Hellenic Research Foundation for kindly providing us with Caco-2 cell line. Professor K. Lasaridi is gratefully acknowledged for her valuable comments on the manuscript and Ms K. Halatsi for her help in molecular typing techniques.