Abstract
The study focused on evaluating the functional properties of four lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains—Lactobacillus fermentum 30, Lactobacillus cellobiosus 36, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei 36/1, and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei 30/1—and their associations, aiming to assess acid resistance, bile tolerance, enzyme stability, and adhesion capabilities using in vitro methods. The survival rates of these LAB strains and their associations were investigated under simulated gastric juice (SGJ) and simulated intestinal juice (SIJ). In SGJ, the association L. fermentum 30 + L. cellobiosus 36 showed higher survival rates compared to individual strains, with approximately 75% viability after 2 hours incubation. Similarly, the association L. paracasei 30/1 + L. paracasei 36/1 exhibited enhanced survival in SGJ, maintaining about 80% viability. In SIJ, both associations demonstrated improved survival compared to individual strains, with L. fermentum 30 + L. cellobiosus 36 and L. paracasei 30/1 + L. paracasei36/1 maintaining approximately 70% and 75% viability, respectively. The adhesion capabilities of these LAB strains and associations were evaluated using human erythrocytes. All strains displayed high adhesive activity, particularly notable in L. paracasei 36/1 + L. paracasei 30/1, which demonstrated a significantly higher adhesion index compared to other strains. These findings highlight the robust survival and adhesive properties of the LAB strains and their associations under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Further research is warranted to explore their potential applications in promoting gut health and combating gastrointestinal disorders.