Evaluation of bile salt hydrolase activity, bile salt deconjugation ability, cholesterol assimilation ability and antioxidative activity of Lactobacillus cultures

Probiotic potential of three cultures of Lactobacillus namely L. fermentum (M2), L. fermentum (M7) and L. paracasei (M11) were carried out by performing various in vitro tests such as bile salt hydrolase activity, bile salt deconjugation ability, cholesterol assimilation ability and antioxidative activity (ABTS method). M7 and M11 showed positive bile salt hydrolase activity. M2, M7 and M11 have the ability to deconjugate bile salt and M11 culture exhibited for the highest deconjugation of bile salt (616.25μg/mL). These three cultures were able to survive in MRS broth containing 0.2% sodium thioglycolate and 0.3% sodium taurocholate (conjugated bile salt). Antioxidant activity was also evaluated among these Lactobacillus cultures and found in the range of 46.55% to 78.66%. But, these three cultures were very poor to assimilate the cholesterol. This study indicated that L. paracasei (M11)was more potent than other cultures.