The ability to use sugars and sugar substitutes as prebiotics by Serbian autochthonous lactic acid bacteria

The purpose of this study was the investigation of the growth ability of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), isolated from traditionally made cheese from Southeastern Serbia, in the presence of different percent of sugars and sugar substitutes (fructose, lactose, inulin, and mannitol). Dextrose was included for comparative purposes. The results indicated that fructose and lactose stimulated the growth of Lactobacillus strains, with exceptions of Lactobacillus plantarum KGPMF62 and Lb. plantarum LP 299v. Lactose showed similar effects like dextrose on the growth of Lactococcus strains, while higher growth rates of Enterococcus hirae KGPMF9, E. durans KGPMF10, E. faecium KGPMF14, and E. faecalis KGPMF47 were observed for lactose and mannitol. The results indicated the potential use of tested sugars and sugar substitutes as prebiotic compounds for the development of symbiotics with tested LAB, in medical or food industry.