Meta-analysis of lacic acid bacterial genomes: folate biosynthesis genes

LEBLANC, J.G.; SAVOY DE GIORI, G.; SESMA, F.

BIOCELL

IHEM-CONICET

Lugar: Mendoza, Argentina; Año: 2008

0327-9545

Folates participate in numerous metabolic reactions and its deficiency can cause many physiological disorders. Folic acid, a synthetic chemical commonly used in food fortification programs, can mask vitamin B12 deficiencies and overdoses can cause spontaneous abortions whereas “natural” folates, such as those produces by bacteria, do not. The object of this work was to analyse the genomes of LAB to identify strains that have the capability to produce de novo folates. Some strains of Lc. lactis, Lb. plantarum, Lb. bulgaricus and St. thermophilus posses all the folate biosynthesis genes whereas Lb. gasseri, Lb. salivarius, Lb. acidophilus y Lb. johnsonii do not. However, preliminary results in our lab have shown that folate production is a strain dependant trait. These results will help in the search for novel LAB strains that can produce folates as a first step in the development of novel fermented foods with increased “natural” folate levels.