Jornal de Microbiologia Alimentar e Industrial

Antagonistic Activity of Bifidobacteria Against Microbial Pathogens

Abstract

Ibtesam R. Mowafi1* and Rafat Khalaphallah2

Nowadays, Reports have revealed that intestinal bifidobacteria produce antimicrobial substances that are active against pathogenic bacteria or microflora such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis. Many mechanisms have been postulated by which Bifidobacteria could produce antimicrobial activity. In addition to their competitive inhibition of the epithelial and mucosal adherence of pathogens and inhibition of epithelial invasion by pathogens, and Bifidobacteria also show antimicrobial activity by producing antimicrobial substances (bacteriocins), H₂O₂, organic acids and or stimulating mucosal immunity. In this study the isolates of Bifidobacterium strains (Bifidobacterium longum ATCC 15707, Bifidobacterium bifidum LMGD 10645, Bifidobacterium animalis and Bifidobacterium angulotum) were screened for antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria. According to their inhibitory effects on pathogens, Bifidobacterium strains were differentiated into three classes:  strong inhibitor, weak inhibitor and with no significant inhibitory effect.