In Vitro characterization of Lactococcus lactis strains Isolated from Iranian Traditional Dairy Products as a Potential Probiotic

Few studies have been reported regarding probiotic properties of Lactococcus lactis strains although they are extensively used as starter cultures in the production of dairy products. In this study 8 wild isolates of Lactococcus lactis were evaluated in vitro with regard to resistance to simulated gastric and intestinal juices, adherence ability to Caco-2 cells and HT29-MTX-E12 cell lines, anti-microbial activity, hydrophobicity and antibiotic susceptibility. The results revealed that all isolates had better survival after exposure to simulated gastrointestinal tract stresses in comparison to control probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. Regarding adherence efficiency, almost all isolates exhibited similar adherence with control. Three isolates showed antibacterial activity against Gram-positive pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes) through spot-agar method. Almost all isolates (seven out of eight) showed similar hydrophobicity to control probiotic. Regarding to antibiotic resistance, all isolates were susceptible to gentamicin, icillin, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, tetracycline, penicillin, kanamycin and nitrofurantoin. Although, further investigations are necessary, it was concluded that strains derived from raw milk and home-made dairy products could be a remarkable reservoir for identification of new potential probiotic strains.