Lactococci as probiotic strains: adhesion to human enterocyte-like Caco-2 cells and tolerance to low pH and bile

There have been few studies on the probiotic activity of Lactococcus strain s although they are commonly used as starter bacteria in manufacturing many kinds of fermented daily products. Nine strains of the genus Lactococcus w ere examined for their probiotic properties, such as adherence to human ent erocyte-like Caco-2 cells and tolerance to acid and bile. Six strains were adhesive and the highest adhesion was observed with Lactcoccus lactis ssp. lactis NIAI527. This strain adhered to the microvilli of cells as observed by scanning electron microscopy and also tolerated low pH and bile. These p roperties should make strain 527 a potential new probiotic strain.