title: Evaluation of probiotic potential of yeasts isolated from traditional cheeses manufactured in Serbia and Croatia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro probiotic potential of dairy yeast isolates from artisanal cheeses manufactured in Serbia and Croatia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve yeast strains isolated from artisanal fresh soft and white brined cheeses manufactured in Serbia and Croatia were used in the study. Survival in chemically-simulated gastrointestinal conditions, adherence to epithelial intestinal cells and proliferation of gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) cells were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results revealed that two strains of Kluyvereomyces lactis ZIM 2408 and ZIM 2453 grew above one log unit (Δ log CFU/ml) in the complex colonic medium during 24 h of cultivation, while Torulaspora delbrueckii ZIM 2460 was the most resistant isolate in chemically-simulated conditions of gastric juice and upper intestinal tract. It was demonstrated that the strains K. lactis ZIM 2408 and ZIM2441 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae ZIM 2415 were highly adhesive to Caco-2 cells, while strains K. lactis ZIM 2408 and Debaryomyces hansenii ZIM 2415 exhibit the highest adhesion percentage to HT29-MTX cells. All strains significantly (P < 0.0001) decreased the proliferation of GALT cells, suggesting the possible strain-specific immunomodulatory potential of the isolates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The dairy yeast isolates exhibit strain-specific probiotic properties, particularly the strain K. lactis ZIM 2408, which appears to be the best probiotic candidate in terms of all three criteria. Taking into account their immunomodulatory potential, the yeast isolates could be further tested for specific probiotic applications and eventually included in functional food formulated for patients suffering from diseases associated with an increased inflammatory status.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Molecular Microbiology, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Milica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Živković
authors.affiliation: Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Neža
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Čadež
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Pierrotieva, Zagreb, Croatia.
authors.forename: Ksenija
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Uroić
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Molecular Microbiology, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Marija
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miljković
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Molecular Microbiology, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Maja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tolinački
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Molecular Microbiology, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe, Belgrade, Serbia ; Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva, Ljubljana, Slovenia ; Faculty of Chemistry, Brno University of Technology, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Doušova
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Pierrotieva, Zagreb, Croatia.
authors.forename: Blaženka
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kos
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Pierrotieva, Zagreb, Croatia.
authors.forename: Jagoda
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Šušković
authors.affiliation: Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva, Ljubljana, Slovenia ; Faculty of Health Sciences, The Institute for food, nutrition and health, Polje 42, SI - 6310 Izola, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Raspor
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Molecular Microbiology, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Ljubiša
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Topisirović
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Molecular Microbiology, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Nataša
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Golić
keywords: Caco-2; GALT; HT29-MTX; Kluyvereomyces lactis; host-microbe interactions; immunomodulation