Growth, acidification and proteolysis performance of two co-cultures (Lactobacillus plantarum-Bifidobacterium longum and Streptococcus thermophilus-Bifidobacterium longum)

Abstract

In this study, the fermentation and proteolysis of two co-cultures were investigated. Two fermented cow skim-milk lactoferrin 1 (LF1) and lactoferrin 2 (LF2) were prepared. LF1 was inoculated with Bifidobacterium longum (Bf I) and Streptococcus thermophillus (St I) while LF2 was inoculated with Lactobacillus plantarum (Lb O) and B. longum (Bf I). Incubation was at 42°C for 8 h. The enumeration revealed bacterial growth in all fermented milk. Maximum growth of (Lb O) and (Bf I) was observed when mixed together after 2 h of fermentation in comparison with Bf I and St I with values of 10⁹ and 3.10⁸ cfu/ml, respectively. The kinetics of acidification (pH and lactic acid production) gave significant values (p < 0.01) for LF2 when compared to LF1 and sterile milk (LS). The proteolytic activity (functions α-NH₂ released in M/mg) and total proteins (in μg/mg) gave significant values (p < 0.05) for LF2 when compared to LF1. Two mixed cultures (Lb O- Bf I) and (St I-Bf I) showed proteolysis of ß-lactoglobulin (ß-Lg) and -lactalbumin (α-la).