Lactic acid bacteria growth promoters from Spirulina platensis

Spirulina has been used for many years as human food because of its high pr otein content and nutritional value. Some strains also produce bioactive su bstances that may inhibit or promote microbial growth. Lactococcus lactis, Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Lactobacillus bulgaricus were grown in rich media, MRS and RM, as well as in minimal saline medium with and without addition of extracellular pro ducts obtained from a late log phase culture of Spirulina platensis in Zarr ouk medium. In both MRS and RM media, the extracellular products significan tly promote the growth of the lactic acid bacteria assayed. This stimulator y effect was observed in media with pH adjusted to 5.3, 6.3 and 7.0. No eff ect was observed in minimal saline medium. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. A ll rights reserved.