COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE PROBIOTICS PRODUCTS

Abstract

Objective: Probiotics are defined as live microorganisms that provide beneficial effects on human health by improving the balance of intestinal micro flora. Comparative evaluation of 10 (LB1-LB10) commercial probiotic preparations (available in and around Pune) was carried out on the basis of physical parameters, standard plate count (SPC), antibiotic sensitivity and antimicrobial production.Methods: Effect of temperature, pH and bile tolerance of samples was carried out on de Man, Rogosa and Sharpe (MRS) medium and growth were determined by counting colony forming the unit (cfu) value of appropriate dilution after 24 h and 48 h. Antibiotic sensitivity was carried out by disc diffusion assay. Antimicrobial activity was tested using Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus sp. and Klebsiella sp. by in vitro agar well diffusion methodResults: All the 10 samples showed aggregation for SAT (Salt Aggregation Test) at 0.2M ammonium sulphate concentration. It was observed that LB8, LB9 and LB10 were found to be the most promising probiotic product with respect to physical parameters. LB9 was found to be more antibiotic resistant as compared to LB10 and LB8. Antibacterial production of LB9 was seen against all test organisms. Effects of all the 5 NSAIDs were checked and LB8 showed the resistance to all.Conclusion: LB8 is the most effective probiotic product under adverse conditions followed by LB10 and LB9.