ADHESION ABILITY OF LACTOBACILLUS PLANTARUM AC131

Adhesion of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to mucosal surfaces and their ability to prevent pathogenic invasion of the epithelium are among the most beneficial properties of probiotic lactobacilli. The molecular mechanisms of lactobacillus adhesion have not been fully studied and understood yet. Therefore, a current task is to reveal the genetic and biological factors that determine the adhesion of probiotic LAB cultures. A dairy product originating strain AC131 was selected for the present study, based on its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. It was identified as Lactobacillus plantarum by 16S rDNA sequence analysis. The presence of genes Map, Mub and EF-Tu, as genetic determinants of the adhesion factors in Lactobacillus plantarum AC131, was established by PCR analyses. In addition, in vitro tests for adhesive ability of the strain AC131 were carried out. Positive results in tests with two different cell lines were obtained and the strain AC131 was classified as strongly adhesive to HeLa and moderate adhesive to HT-29 cell line. Our results provide a promising basis for further characterization of Lactobacillus plantarum AC131, as a potential probiotic.