Comparison of the growth and H2O2 production by vaginal lactobacillus under different culture conditions

MARIA ELENA NADER-MACIAS; JUAREZ TOMAS, SILVINA; BRU ELENA,

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY

Elsevier

Lugar: New jersey; Año: 2003 vol. 188 p. 35 - 44

0002-9378

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To determine the optimal conditions for the growth and H2O2 production by vaginal lactobacilli. STUDY DESIGN: Two vaginal lactobacillus strains were cultured under different growth conditions (temperature, pH, agitation and growth media), by using a fractional factorial experimental design. RESULTS: The optimal growth conditions of Lactobacillus paracasei CRL 1289 and L. crispatus CRL 1266 were: temperature 37°C, initial pH 6.5, non-agitated cultures, in LAPTg (1) broth for L. paracasei, or in MRS and LAPTg for L. crispatus. The H2O2-production, detected only in agitated cultures, was higher at 37°C and pH 6.5. The oxidative metabolite produced the self-inhibition of the lactobacilli growth. In mixed cultures of  lactobacilli and Staphylococcus aureus performed under the optimal conditions of H2O2-production, the pathogen growth was inhibited. CONCLUSIONS: The results provided information on the factors which affects the H2O2-production, and on the most favorable conditions to obtain the highest biomass in the shortest possible time.