Aims: The aim of this study was to characterize Lactobacillus strains for their biological properties and amensalistic activities against genital and nongenital pathogens.
Methods and results: For the purpose, some special characteristics (H2 O2 , biofilm and antimicrobial substances production) as well as safety properties of 112 lactobacilli were evaluated. All the strains had good amensalistic characteristics, in particular cell-free supernatants of 10 strains showed antibacterial activity against bacteria, as well as Candida sp. Moreover, these 10 strains were excellent biofilm producers.
Conclusions: These results provide evidence for the possible use as probiotics for vaginal co-therapy in case of dysbiosis.
Significance and impact of the study: Recently, the problem of antibiotic resistance is constantly increasing, even though resources and energy are invested in order to increase knowledge on the mechanisms of action. Bacteriocins have a rapid mechanism of action, act at extremely low concentrations, are generally sensitive to proteases and they usually have a narrow killing spectrum; these characteristics reduce the possibility of the bacterium to develop resistance. This study is focused on the feasibility of a high production of antimicrobial substances and their characterization in order to be exploited as a therapeutic alterative or in co-therapy with antibiotics in case of vaginal dysbiosis.
Keywords: Lactobacillus; antimicrobials; bacteriocins; biofilm; biomolecules; probiotics.
© 2018 The Society for Applied Microbiology.