Survival of hypocholesterolemic and antagonistic strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus in acidic pH, in presence of bile salt and their adherence to vero cells

The population of Lactobacillus acidophilus strain 301 (antagonistic) decre ased in the presence of 0.3% bile salt throughout the period of study. In c ontrast, L. acidophilus strain 1899 (hypocholesterolemic) exhibited more or less similar pattern of growth to both in the presence (experimental) and absence (control) of bile salt. Both strains exhibited satisfactory growth at pH 4.0 and 5.0. However, they attained lower number at pH 3.0. But at pH 2.0, only some cells of strain 1899 were able to survive for 2 h. It was i nteresting that the hypocholesterolemic strain 1899 was found to adhere to vero cells whereas, antagonistic strain 301 failed to adhere.