Intrinsic properties of so-called dormant probiotic bacteria, determined by flow cytometric viability assays.
Plate counting and four culture-independent flow cytometric assays were used to determine the viability and intrinsic properties of three probiotic strains during storage. The strains showed reduction in plate counts but were able to maintain esterase activity, intact cytoplasmic membrane, and pH gradient. The apparently uncultivable probiotic cells were active and stress resistant.
Lahtinen
Sampo J
SJ
Department of Biochemistry and Food Chemistry, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland. sajola@utu.fi
Ouwehand
Arthur C
AC
Reinikainen
Johanna P
JP
Korpela
Jaakko M
JM
Sandholm
Jouko
J
Salminen
Seppo J
SJ
D000818:Animals; D001644:Bifidobacterium / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004950:Esterases / Q000378:metabolism; D005285:Fermentation; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007779:Lactobacillus acidophilus / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D008892:Milk / Q000382:microbiology; D019936:Probiotics; D013048:Specimen Handling
D004950:Esterases