Probiotic and safety assessment of Lactobacillus strains isolated from Lebanese Baladi goat milk

Microbiological and physicochemical parameters of Lebanese Baladi goat milk from six farms were evaluated and 28 Lactobacillus strains were isolated and examined in vitro for their probiotic potential. Goat milk showed a balanced physicochemical composition while variable LAB counts were observed among samples. All isolates were identified as Lactobacillus rhamnosus. They exhibited diverse susceptibility to commonly used antibiotics, none was haemolytic and showed variable antimicrobial activity towards a range of spoilage and pathogenic bacteria. All strains remained unaffected at pH 3 and in the presence of bile salts (0.5%, w/v) for 3 h exhibiting also a partial bile salt hydrolase activity. Selected strains showed low adhesion to HT-29 and Caco-2 cells. Decrease in COX2 mRNA levels and a tendency to an increase in IL10 expression in human monocytes were noticed. This is the first report about probiotic and safety features of Lb. rhamnosus strains isolated from Lebanese Baladi goat milk.