Antibacterial activity of Lactobacillus species against Vibrio species

Forty-one Lactobacillus strains were tested for antagonistic activity again st nine strains of Vibrio. L. plantarum and L. casei were the most effectiv e, and L. brevis was the least effective in inhibiting the growth of Vibrio species. L. gasseri and L. helveticus strains showed higher activity, whil e L. reuteri and L. fermentum showed lower inhibitory activity against Vibr io species. L. acidophilus strains exhibited various degrees of antagonisti c activities against Vibrio species. However, none of the Lactobacillus spe cies were able to inhibit the growth of Salmonella enteritidis, S. typhimur ium, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. Inhibition of the Vibrio species was probably due to the production of organic acids by the Lactobac illus species.