title: In vitro assay of the antimicrobial activity of kephir against bacterial and fungal strains.
abstract: Kephir is a fermented carbonated refreshing milk, with a slightly acidic aromatic taste and creamy foam composition which contains lactobacilli, leuconostocci, acetic acid bacteria, lactostreptococci and yeasts. Recent studies have demonstrated its antibacterial, immunostimulating, antitumoral and cholesterol-lowering activities.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of kephir against Bacillus subtilis spp. spizizenii ATCC 6633, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, Salmonella enteritidis ATCC 13076, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027 and Candida albicans ATCC 10231. The kephir fermented for 24 h and 48 h, as well and after 7 days preservation at 4-8 °C was tested by in vitro disk diffusion method. The intensity of the antimicrobial activity was interpreted by comparison with two antibiotics, i.e. ampicillin and neomycin.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The antimicrobial activity of 24 h as well as 48 fermented kephir, fresh or after 7 days preservation at 4-8 °C was similar and observed against B. subtilis, S. aureus, E. coli, E. faecalis and S. enteritidis. For E. coli, E. faecalis and S. enteritidis the antimicrobial activity was superior to both tested antibiotics and for B. subtilis and S. aureus to one antibiotic. The tested products exhibited no activity against P. aeruginosa and C. albicans.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Kephir is exhibiting large spectrum and strong antibacterial activity probably due to the complex viable probiotic strains association producing antimicrobial substances.
authors.affiliation: University of Bucharest, Faculty of Biology, Microbiology Immunology Department, Ale. Portocalelor 1-3, 60101 Bucharest, Romania. carmen_balotescu@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Mariana Carmen
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Chifiriuc
authors.forename: Alina Badea
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Cioaca
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lazar
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development*; D003611:Dairy Products; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents