Recovery of<i>Lactobacillus</i>Strain GG (ATCC 53103) from Saliva of Healthy Volunteers after Consumption of Yoghurt Prepared with the Bacterium

Abstract

Lactobacillus GG exerts inhibitory activity against a variety of bacterial species and it appears beneficial as a probiotic in human medicine. The bacterium does not ferment sucrose and lactose which makes it interesting with respect to dental diseases. We studied the recovery of Lactobacillus GG in the oral cavities of nine subjects who consumed yoghurt produced with the strain twice daily for 7 days. The bacterium could be recovered in the saliva samples of all subjects one week after discontinuation of the consuming of the yoghurt. In eight subjects out of nine the saliva cultures were still positive 2 wks later. Thus, Lactobacillus GG appears to be able to colonise the oral cavity, although further studies are needed in order to determine any influence on the microecology of the mouth.