Comparing Adhesion Attributes of two Isolates of Lactobacillus Acidophilus for Assessment of Prebiotics, Honey and Inulin

Adhesion attributes of Lactobacillus acidophilus were studied for adhesion to hydrocarbons, aggregation abilities and autolysis to evaluate different prebiotics. Autoaggregation correlates with adhesion, which is a prerequisite for colonization and infection of the gastrointestinal tract by many pathogens and coaggregation has been related to the ability to interact closely with pathogens where autolysis decreases the adhesiveness. Hydrophobicity affects adhesion to intestinal surfaces. The strains L. acidophilus NCDC 13 and L. acidophilus NCDC 291 showed changes in aggregation abilities and adhesion properties in the presence of prebiotics, honey and inulin. The results for both strains indicate that the ability to autoaggregate and cell surface hydrophobicity, increased in the presence of inulin. While the ability to coaggregate increased in presence of honey and autolytic activity reduced highly in presence of inulin. This study suggest the importance to identify the useful prebiotic so as to enhance the effect of probiotic properties of lactobacillus strain, and also the relevance to future synbiotic food development from the strain studied. Abbreviations Used: CFU, colony forming units; BHI, brain heart infusion; MRS, de man rogosa sharpe; PBS, phosphate buffered saline; PUM, phosphate urea magnesium sulphate.