Conjugated linoleic acid concentration as affected by lactic cultures and added linoleic acid

Six lactic cultures: Lactobacillus acidophilus (CCRC14079), L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus (CCRC14009), L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis (CCRC14078), Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris (CCRC12586), Lc. lactis subsp. lactis (CCRC10791), and Streptococcus salivarius subsp. thermophlius (CCRC12257) were tested for the effects of addition of 1000 and 5000 μg/ml linoleic acid, and incubation time from 0 to 48 h. The levels of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) formation were determined by gas chromatography. A sharp increase in CLA level was observed in linoleic acid added cultures. Incubation of L. acidophilus in 1000 μg/ml linoleic acid added-skim milk medium for 24 h was most effective in promoting CLA formation. Increasing linoleic acid addition from 1000 to 5000 μg/ml and prolonging incubation from 24 to 48 h did not appear to enhance CLA formation.