ANTIMUTAGENIC AND IMMUNO-STIMULATORY PROPERTIES OF LACTIC-ACID BACTERIA

Statistically significant antigenotoxic activity was exerted by six of nine strains of lactic acid bacteria tested (Lactobacillus delbruecki i subsp. bulgaricus, Staphylococcus carnosus, Streptococcus thermophil us, L. rhamnosus, Enterococcus faecium and En. faecalis) against nitro vin and 2-aminofluorene in Salmonella typhimurium TA100 and TA97. The mutagenic activity of both mutagens was substantially decreased by via ble bacteria; cells heated to 100 degrees C for 15 min were ineffectiv e. In vitro, En. faecium stimulated the basic metabolic activities of human neutrophils which were essential for their antimicrobial and cyt otoxic activity, whereas stimulation of guinea-pig macrophages was not so effective. Similar immune-stimulatory effects were observed with b oth viable and heat-inactivated bacteria.