Stimulative effect of Lactobacillus gasseri NY0509 and Lactobacillus caseiNY1301 on the growth of bifidobacteria

The stimulative effect of Lactobacillus gasseri NY0509 and L. casei NY1301 on the in vitro growth of Bifidobacterium species, human intestinal bacteri a, was investigated. L. gasseri NY0509 and/or L. casei NY1301 were mixed-cu ltured with four strains of Bifidobacterium species (B. longum JCM 1217(T), B. adolescentis JCM 1275(T) B. breve JCM 1192(T), and B. bifidum JCM 1254) in 10% skim milk. L. gasseri NY0509 and L. casei NY1301 markedly increased the numbers of B. longum JCM1217(T), B. adolescentis JCM 1275(T), and B. b reve JCM 1192(T) at early stationary phase in comparison with monoculture o f Bifidobacterium, respectively. On the contrary, the growth rate of B. bif idum JCM 1254 was only stimulated in the mixed-culture with L. casei NY1301 . These results suggest that L. gasseri NY0509 and L. casei NY1301 stimulat e the growth of Bifidobacterium species, beneficial bacteria in human intes tine.