Enzyme profile of lactobacillus strain GG by a rapid API ZYM system: A comparison of intestinal bacterial strains

Abstract

Lactobacillus GG and eight strains of lactobacilli (L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus, L. bulgaricus and L. helviticus) and other clinical organisms (Escherichia coli, Peptostreptococcus anaerobius, Bacteroides fragilis and Clostridium difficile) were compared for their enzyme profiles. Specific activities of 19 hydrolytic enzymes for each strain were determined using the microenzyme API ZYM system. Lactobacillus GG enzyme profile showed high peptidase, chymotrypsin and phosphatase activities, and lower esterase-lipases activity; these enzyme activities were not different from other Lactobacillus strains. βGlucuronidase activity was not detected in Lactobacillus GG. These results may facilitate identification of some of the biochemical characteristics of Lactobacillus GG, as well as indicate that Lactobacillus GG, as a dairy product, may result in less toxic compounds being released from hydrolytic reaction of βglucuronidase in the colon. ©1994 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.