Folates are essential micronutrients, and folate deficiency still occurs in many countries. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are known to be able to synthesize folates during fermentation, but the folate production is strain-dependent and influenced by the fermentation medium, presence of a folate precursor, and fermentation time. This study aimed to screen extracellular folate-producing LAB from local food sources and evaluate the factors influencing their folate biosynthesis during milk fermentation. The selection of folate-producing LAB was based on their ability to grow in folate-free medium (FACM), with folate concentrations quantified by microbiological assay. Growth of the 18 LAB in FACM varied between isolates, with only 8 isolates growing well and able to synthesize extracellular folate at relatively high concentrations (up to 24.27 ng/mL). The isolates with highest extracellular folate levels, Lactobacillus fermentum JK13 from kefir granules, Lactobacillus plantarum 4C261 from salted mustard, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus R23 from breast milk, were applied to milk fermentation. The last two isolates were probiotic candidates. The three isolates consumed folate when it was present in the milk, and its consumption was in line with their growth. The availability of folate precursors affected the amount of folate consumed, but did not lead to increased folate concentrations in the medium after 72 h fermentation. The results of this study indicate that these isolates cannot be utilized for producing folate in folate-containing milk, as it shows feedback inhibition on folate biosynthesis.
Keywords: folate; folate precursor; lactic acid bacteria; milk fermentation; probiotic.
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