Bile tolerance, taurocholate deconjugation, and binding of cholesterol by Lactobacillus gasseri strains

Bile tolerance, deconjugation of sodium taurocholate, and the cholesterol-b inding ability of 28 strains of Lactobacillus gasseri were examined. There was significant variation among strains in growth in media containing bile and also variation in the ability to bind cholesterol. Cultures grown for 1 2 h at 37 degrees C bound significantly more cholesterol than did cells fro m a 48-h incubation. Variation among strains in the ability to deconjugate sodium taurocholate was not significantly different. Maximal deconjugation of sodium taurocholate was achieved with the cells during the stationary ph ase of growth (12 h). Statistical analysis showed no significant correlatio n between bile tolerance and sodium taurocholate deconjugation, bile tolera nce and cholesterol-binding ability, or sodium taurocholate deconjugation a nd cholesterol-binding ability.