COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE POTENTIAL PROBIOTIC ABILITIES OF LACTOBACILLI OF HUMAN ORIGIN AND FROM FERMENTED VEGETABLES

In this study, twelve strains of Lactobacillus plantarum derived from spontaneously fermented vegetables (car- rots and beetroot) and traditionally prepared sauerkraut were compared for their potential probiotic abilities with seven Lactobacillus rhamnosus strains of human origin. The tested strains were investigated for some technological properties and in vitro functional characteristics for potential probiotic strains. Selection probiotic criteria included the ability of the strains to withstand conditions similar to the digestive tract, antimicrobial activity against a wide range of intestinal pathogens and sensitivity to antibiotics. The total acidity in milk was generally higher in intestinal strains in relation to plant strains. The ability of the tested strains to survive simulated gastric conditions showed a greater resistance of the hu- man strains at a low pH 2.5 and the presence of pepsin, while in the presence of bile salts and pancreatin, some intestinal strains were more sensitive compared to plant strains. A wide spectrum of antimicrobial activities was observed in all tested strains. Most of the plant strains were resistant to aminoglycosides and vancomycin but sensitive to ampicillin and penicillin, while only some intestinal strains were resistant to these drugs.