Critical Factors Governing the Competitive Behaviour of Lactic Acid Bacteria in Mixed Cultures

The role of lactic acid bacteria in health and disease has been extensively illustrated. Lactic acid bacteria play a major role in the establishment of balanced microbiota in the intestinal tract; their presence provides protection against undesired bacteria. Besides intestinal infections, also urinary tract infections have been successfully prevented by lactic acid bacteria. Their colonisation and proliferation is assumed to depend on their adhesive characteristics. The supply of effective lactic acid organisms is usually provided by lactobacilli-fermented foods. A number of factors substantially influencing the competitive behaviour of lactic acid bacteria in mixed cultures for fermentation purposes as well as for the colonisation of the host animal are discussed in this chapter.