Bile Tolerance Activity of Probiotic Bacteria (Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria)

Abstract

Twenty two strains of each probiotic organisms Lactobacillus (LAB) and Bifidobacteria (BB) were isolated from the faeces of breast-fed infants at the University of Putra, Malaysia. Mann Rogossa and Sharpe (MRS) and Trypticase Phytone Peptone Yeast extract (TPY) were used as selective media for the isolation of these organisms. Resistance to bile is an important characteristic that enables probiotic organisms to survive and grow in the intestinal tract. Six LAB strains from the 22 isolated (LAB-3, 10, 11, 13, 15, 21) were grown with and without 0.3% Oxgall bile at 12 h incubation. The most rapid deconjugation by the strains LAB-11 and LAB-21 + bile were attained during 3 to 9 h of incubation at 37 °C, which coincided with the most rapid growth for LAB strains. Similarly, six BB strains from the 22 isolated (Bifi-10, 11, 12, 15, 19, 20) grew in TPY broth with and without 0.3% Oxgall bile. The most rapid deconjugation by strains Bifi-20 and Bifi-19 + bile were attained during 0 to 9 h of incubation at 37 °C, which coincided as the most rapid growth for BB strains. The two strains Bifi-20 and Bifi-19 had higher bile tolerance compared to other strains.

Keywords: Bifid bacteria, bile acids, Lactobacillus, probiotics