ADHESION OF LACTOBACILLUS ISOLATES TO INTESTINAL EPITHELIAL-CELLS OF CHICKEN

A total of 46 Lactobacillus isolates obtained from chicken intestine w ere assessed on their ability to adhere to the chicken ileal epithelia l cell (IEC) in vitro. Twelve out of the 46 isolates showed moderate t o good ability to adhere to the IEC. Temperature (between 4 degrees C and 42 degrees C) did not affect attachment. Incubation (contact) time of 30 min was found to be insufficient for the attachment of bacteria to the IEC, but contact time beyond 1 h did not: increase this abilit y. The pH values (4-7) of the suspending buffer did not have any signi ficant effect on the attachment of bacteria to the IEC, but at pH 8 it was reduced significantly (P < 0.05).