高黏附罗伊氏乳杆菌的筛选及其益生特性评价

通过对28株不同罗伊氏乳杆菌(Lactobacillus reuteri)菌株的粘附力、细胞表面疏水性、与大肠杆菌的共聚合等指标的测定及相关性分析,成功筛选出粘附力最高的菌株R28。研究了该菌株的耐酸性和耐胆盐能力。结果表明,R28与其它菌株相比具有良好的粘附能力。该菌株的自聚集能力和疏水性分别为26.25%和75.53%。与大肠杆菌的共聚合能力可高达36.84%。细胞粘附数可达约43个细菌/每个杆菌细胞。菌株R28具有良好的耐酸性(pH=3)和耐胆盐性(0.1%),其能够很好的粘附于宿主肠道细胞发挥益生作用。罗伊氏乳杆菌R28作为一株优良的益生菌在食品和医药领域具有广阔的应用前景。     

新疆传统发酵乳品中益生菌的益生特性

目的以新疆传统发酵乳品中分离得到的14种发酵菌为研究对象,评价14种益生菌自聚集性能、表面疏水性、粘附性等益生特性;评价其抗生素耐药性的安全性能,并筛选对α-葡萄糖苷酶有一定抑制功能的益生菌。方法首先对14种发酵菌α-葡萄糖苷酶抑制率进行检测,然后检测14种发酵菌自聚集性能、表面疏水性和对Caco-2细胞的粘附率,最后进行耐药性试验。结果 14种发酵菌株均有良好的自聚集性能,哈尔滨乳杆菌自聚集性能最好(87.60%±0.16%);14种益生菌对乙酸乙酯有较高的表面疏水性,但对不同有机溶剂疏水性存在差异;乳酸菌中希氏乳杆菌对Caco-2细胞的粘附率最高(8.78%±0.65%)。酵母中乙醇假丝酵母对Caco-2细胞的粘附率最高(2.35%±0.04%)。14种发酵菌对Caco-2细胞的粘附性均大于1%;马乳酒样乳杆菌的α-葡萄糖苷酶抑制率最高(14.55%±0.74%),且除了瑞士乳杆菌(1.87%±0.09%),其他菌株抑制率都达到5%以上。戊糖乳杆菌和高加索乳杆菌对大多数抗生素表现出较高的敏感性,4种酵母对氟胞嘧啶和酮康唑均敏感。结论 10种乳酸菌和4种酵母都具有良好的益生特性,且未见对抗生素、抗真菌药物发生耐药。     

乳酸菌表面蛋白对免疫细胞的诱导增殖及粘附抑制效应

目的研究表面蛋白在乳酸菌体外粘附和激活免疫细胞中的作用。方法应用5mol/L氯化锂结合盐酸胍提取植物乳杆菌LpYZU09、干酪乳杆菌LcYZU02、鼠李糖乳杆菌LrGG、发酵乳杆菌LfYZU15及戊糖片球菌PpYZU32的表面蛋白,并分析提取物对乳酸菌粘附鼠肠上皮细胞、巨噬细胞和脾细胞的抑制作用及诱导增殖效应。结果表面蛋白对3种细胞粘附菌体均具有显著抑制效应,抑制作用具有细胞和菌株差异性,其中菌株LrGG表面蛋白对巨噬细胞粘附5种菌体普遍显示了较强的抑制作用,抑制率为38.7%~76.0%。不同菌株表面蛋白对肠上皮细胞的诱导增殖指数为0.05~0.35,对巨噬细胞为0.05~0.42,对脾细胞为0.02~0.40,诱导效应具有菌株和剂量依赖性,菌株LrGG的诱导增殖指数显著高于其他四种。结论乳酸菌表面的蛋白类因子在粘附和激活免疫细胞中发挥了重要作用。     

干酪乳杆菌LC2W对胃上皮细胞的粘附性质及其与菌体表面性质的关系

目的研究干酪乳杆菌LC2W对胃上皮细胞MKN-45的粘附性质,探讨粘附与其表面性质的关系,初步判断粘附素的性质。方法通过化学和酶处理LC2W细胞壁表面成分,测定其粘附性质、表面性质的变化,并通过相关性分析粘附与表面性质的关系。结果氯化锂、胃蛋白酶、蛋白酶K、苯酚和热处理能显著降低LC2W的粘附性,表明表面的相关蛋白类物质可能参与了LC2W对MKN-45细胞的粘附。化学和酶处理后疏水能力和自聚合能力的变化也表明表面蛋白类物质的存在。相关性分析发现粘附能力分别与疏水性和自聚合能力呈现强正线型相关,证明蛋白类成分在粘附过程中发挥作用。结论 LC2W的表面粘附素是一种蛋白类物质。     

三株益生菌粘附性质及机制的初步研究

目的研究3株益生菌株的粘附性质,初步探讨细菌与肠细胞的粘附机制。方法选取已被深入研究的LGG作为阳性对照,应用显微观察和平板计数的方法测定3株乳杆菌和肠上皮细胞Caco-2的粘附,选择疏水性、表面电荷和自聚合能力3项指标来描述细菌的表面性质,应用粘附抑制试验和酵母凝集试验来测定糖类专一性粘附。结果无论是用显微观察还是平板计数,ST-Ⅲ均是所测试的4株菌中粘附能力最强的,当加入细菌和细胞比约为60∶1时,ST-Ⅲ在Caco-2上的粘附数为(7.43±0.65)CFU/细胞,强于对照菌LGG[(3.99±0.57)CFU/细胞]。在所测试的4株菌中,粘附能力和疏水性具有很好的相关性,同时自聚合能力对粘附也表现出一定的促进作用。除LGG外,D-甘露糖和甲基-α-D-甘露糖苷均能抑制另外3株乳杆菌的粘附,同时这3株乳杆菌也能不同程度地凝集酵母。结论3株益生菌的粘附均涉及到非特异性的疏水结合和甘露糖特异性粘附两个过程;ST-Ⅲ是1株具有良好粘附能力的益生菌,有待进一步的研究。     

具有拮抗空肠弯曲杆菌能力鸡源乳酸菌的筛选及特性

【目的】从鸡粪中筛选具有拮抗空肠弯曲杆菌能力的乳酸菌,研究其肠道益生特性,探讨其对空肠弯曲杆菌鞭毛毒力因子的影响。【方法】利用牛津杯法测定40株鸡粪源乳酸菌菌株的抑菌活性以确定抑菌性能好的菌株,利用16S r RNA基因分析进行菌株鉴定,采用HT-29细胞测定菌株的细胞粘附能力,通过模拟胃肠液实验分析菌株对胃肠道环境的耐受性,利用扫描电镜分析乳酸菌无细胞提取物对空肠弯曲杆菌鞭毛毒力因子的影响。【结果】从鸡粪中分离得到40株菌株,进一步筛选得到X13、X14和G20等3株拮抗空肠弯曲杆菌能力较强的菌株,经16S r RNA基因序列分析分别鉴定为罗伊氏乳杆菌、唾液乳杆菌和鸡乳杆菌;HT-29细胞粘附实验表明X13、X14及G20的粘附指数分别为11.5、20.3和14.3个/细胞,均具有良好的粘附能力;3株乳酸菌对人工胃肠液均具有良好的耐受性;扫描电镜观察表明,与对照组相比,3株纯培养乳酸菌无细胞提取物均能抑制空肠弯曲杆菌鞭毛毒力因子的合成。【结论】从鸡粪中筛选得到了3株能有效抑制空肠弯曲杆菌生长并能抑制其鞭毛合成的乳酸菌,有望作为拮抗性饲用益生菌用于控制禽畜的空肠弯曲杆菌感染。     

一株分离自口腔的鼠李糖乳杆菌及其特性

目的分离筛选出在维护口腔微生态平衡方面具有潜在益生特性的乳杆菌菌株。方法从健康志愿者的口腔样本中分离乳杆菌,采用生理生化和16S rDNA分子测序进行菌株鉴定,并检测其抑菌能力、凝集能力、表面疏水性以及对溶菌酶耐受性。结果筛选出1株鼠李糖乳杆菌LR863,对变形链球菌、戈登链球菌、牙龈卟啉单胞菌、具核梭杆菌和伴放线放线杆菌具有抑菌作用,经蛋白酶处理后其抑菌活性降低。同时鼠李糖乳杆菌LR863有较强的自凝集能力并对上述5株指示菌有共凝集效果,对二甲苯、氯仿和乙酸乙酯的疏水率依次为76.91%、87.46%和41.88%,能耐受2.0 mg/mL浓度的溶菌酶。结论鼠李糖乳杆菌LR863具有优良生物学特性,可作为口腔保健产品的候选益生菌株。     

青藏高原垂穗披碱草青贮饲料中乳酸菌的多样性及低温发酵菌株的筛选

【目的】探究青藏高原垂穗披碱草青贮饲料中乳酸菌的多样性,筛选在低温条件下(10、15和25°C)生长性能较好的优良菌株。【方法】将垂穗披碱草青贮饲料中分离纯化的乳酸菌进行形态特征观察及16S r RNA基因测序鉴定;用MRS液体培养基在10、15和25°C条件下分离、初筛乳酸菌,选取高吸光度值的菌株作为优势菌株。用绿汁发酵液在10、15和25°C条件下培养测定其p H值,选取低p H值菌株作为优势菌株,并综合MRS培养基筛选结果确定优良菌株。【结果】从不同温度和发酵阶段的垂穗披碱草青贮饲料中共分离得到108个乳酸菌菌株,它们分属于6个属、18个种。其中,清酒乳杆菌LS-24在15°C条件下发酵液p H值显著降低(P0.05),戊糖片球菌PP-63在发酵初期生长速度较快,植物乳杆菌LP-21在15°C条件下发酵液p H值降至3.9且有最大活菌数。【结论】在青藏高原垂穗披碱草青贮饲料中发现的乳酸菌属基本涵盖了前人在常温青贮饲料中发现的所有属,但种数略少;在108株菌中,清酒乳杆菌LS-24、戊糖片球菌PP-63和植物乳杆菌LP-21在低温条件下均表现出较好的繁殖和发酵特性,可作为青贮饲料低温发酵的备选菌株。     

混合乳酸菌对小鼠 肠上皮细胞的粘附及抑菌机制

目的研究混合乳酸菌粘附及抑菌机制。方法测定混合菌株粘附相关能力及抑菌方式,初步研究菌株粘附相关的表面活性成分。结果混合菌株的表面疏水性、自聚合能力较高,对ICE-6细胞的粘附性亦较高。可抑制G+菌(金黄色葡萄球菌、枯草杆菌、艰难梭菌)和G-菌(大肠埃希菌、沙门菌、假单胞菌)粘附ICE-6细胞,抑制方式效果为排除竞争替代;热处理对菌株粘附性影响明显高于胃蛋白酶、胰蛋白酶、LiCl和NaIO_4等处理,表面蛋白(80～140kDa)可使LiCl处理菌株的粘附率提升45%。结论混合乳酸菌主要通过排除方式抑制外源菌的粘附,表面蛋白影响混合乳酸菌的粘附能力。     

卷曲乳杆菌对三种结肠上皮细胞的粘附性

目的研究卷曲乳杆菌对3种结肠上皮细胞(SW480细胞、SW620细胞、LOVO细胞)的粘附性。方法将处于对数生长期的卷曲乳杆菌A7分别与SW480细胞、SW620细胞、LOVO细胞进行体外粘附试验,革兰染色后显微镜观察卷曲乳杆菌A7对3种结肠上皮细胞的粘附结果并计数。结果卷曲乳杆菌A7对3种结肠上皮细胞的粘附均具有显著性,其中对于SW480细胞和LOVO细胞的粘附性明显高于SW620细胞。结论卷曲乳杆菌A7对SW480细胞、SW620细胞、LOVO细胞均具有较强的粘附性,提示该菌株有望成为肠道益生菌的新成员。     

Screening for potential probiotic from spontaneously fermented non-dairy foods based on in vitro probiotic and safety properties

The aim of this study was to screen potential probiotic lactic acid bacteria from Chinese spontaneously fermented non-dairy foods by evaluating their probiotic and safety properties. All lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The in vitro probiotic tests included survival under low pH and bile salts, cell surface hydrophobicity, auto-aggregation, co-aggregation, antibacterial activity, and adherence ability to cells. The safety properties were evaluated based on hemolytic activity and antibiotic resistance profile. The salt tolerance, growth in litmus milk, and acidification ability were examined on selected potential probiotic LAB strains to investigate their potential use in food fermentation. A total of 122 strains were isolated and identified at the species level by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and included 62 Lactobacillus plantarum, 40 Weissella cibaria, 12 Lactobacillus brevis, 6 Weissella confusa, and 2 Lactobacillus sakei strains. One W. cibaria and nine L. plantarum isolates were selected based on their tolerance to low pH and bile salts. The hydrophobicity, auto-aggregation, co-aggregation, and antagonistic activities of these isolates varied greatly. All of the 10 selected strains showed multiple antibiotic resistance phenotypes and no hemolytic activity. The highest adhesion capacity to SW480 cells was observed with L. plantarum SK1. The isolates L. plantarum SK1, CB9, and CB10 were the most similar strains to Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and selected for their high salt tolerance and acidifying activity. The results revealed strain-specific probiotic properties were and potential probiotics that can be used in the food industry.     

Aggregation and Adhesion Activity of Lactobacilli Isolated from Fermented Products In Vitro and In Vivo: a Potential Probiotic Strain

Approximately 25 strains of lactobacilli isolated from different dairy products and fermented vegetables were screened according to their possibility to show the high auto-aggregation and co-aggregation. The strains Lactobacillus helveticus INRA-2010-H11, Lactobacillus rhamnosus INA-5.1, and Lactobacillus acidophilus JM-2012 were determined to have the high auto-aggregation (approximately 73, 46, and 70.5% correspondingly). A high co-aggregation capacity (75.53%) for strains INRA-2010-H11 and JM-2012 was shown. The adhesion degree of INRA-2010-H11 on the surface of buccal epithelial cells was 88.23%. The study of INRA-2010-H11, JM-2012, and both strains’ mixture (1:1) adhesion capacity on the surface of epithelial HeLa cells revealed the adhesion of 1.1 × 10⁶, 6.3 × 10⁴, and 2.3 × 10⁵ CFU, respectively, from starter amount of CFU 10⁷ and 10⁸ for both strains. In vivo experiments of LAB adhesion in gastrointestinal tract of mouse revealed the presence of 2.5 × 10⁹, 1.2 × 10⁹, and 1.5 × 10⁹ CFU of LAB in control and groups of mouse, fed by INRA-2010-H11 and mixture, respectively. Feeding by investigated lactobacilli was suggested to lead to microbiota biodiversity reduction in small intestine and colon and its augmentation in stomach. Thus, INRA-2010-H11 demonstrated a high aggregation and adhesion activity so it has the potential as a good probiotic strain.     

Probiotic Properties of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Water-Buffalo Mozzarella Cheese

This study evaluated the probiotic properties (stability at different pH values and bile salt concentration, auto-aggregation and co-aggregation, survival in the presence of antibiotics and commercial drugs, study of β-galactosidase production, evaluation of the presence of genes encoding MapA and Mub adhesion proteins and EF-Tu elongation factor, and the presence of genes encoding virulence factor) of four LAB strains (Lactobacillus casei SJRP35, Leuconostoc citreum SJRP44, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus SJRP57 and Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides SJRP58) which produced antimicrobial substances (antimicrobial peptides). The strains survived the simulated GIT modeled in MRS broth, whole and skim milk. In addition, auto-aggregation and the cell surface hydrophobicity of all strains were high, and various degrees of co-aggregation were observed with indicator strains. All strains presented low resistance to several antibiotics and survived in the presence of commercial drugs. Only the strain SJRP44 did not produce the β-galactosidase enzyme. Moreover, the strain SJRP57 did not show the presence of any genes encoding virulence factors; however, the strain SJRP35 presented vancomycin resistance and adhesion of collagen genes, the strain SJRP44 harbored the ornithine decarboxylase gene and the strain SJRP58 generated positive results for aggregation substance and histidine decarboxylase genes. In conclusion, the strain SJRP57 was considered the best candidate as probiotic cultures for further in vivo studies and functional food products development.     

Probiotic Potential of Bacillus Strains Isolated from an Acidic Fermented Food Idli

Present study is intended to assess the probiotic properties of Bacillus spp. isolated from idli batter, a traditional fermented food of Southern India and Sri Lanka. A total of 32 isolates were screened for potential pathogenic behaviour through haemolysis assay, DNase activity and antibiotics sensitivity. Two of the isolates were found to be potentially safe and identified as Bacillus spp. These strains were characterized for in vitro probiotic attributes and antioxidant activity. Both the strains showed strong acid and bile tolerance, transit tolerance, lysozyme tolerance, cell surface hydrophobicity, auto-aggregation, co-aggregation, biofilm formation potential and adhesion to human colon adenocarcinoma (HT 29) cell line demonstrating potential probiotic ability. These strains also exhibited considerable cholesterol binding, thermostability, β-galactosidase production, proteolytic, amylolytic and lipolytic activity. Cell-free supernatant inhibited the biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (KT266804) to 90%. Intact cells showed significant DPPH (41%), hydroxyl (31%), radical scavenging activity and lipid peroxidation inhibition (20.38%), while cell-free extracts exhibited significant superoxide anion radical scavenging activity (16.25%). Results revealed that isolates could be potential probiotic candidate after further assessment of in vivo probiotic properties and safety evaluation and could be utilised as starter cultures in functional foods.

     

Probiotic potential and safety of enterococci strains

The aims of this research were to evaluate the safety and probiotic potential of Enterococcus spp. strains and select novel strains for future development of new functional fermented products. Bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity, capacity of auto-aggregation and co-aggregation, hydrophobicity, tolerance to different pH values and NaCl content, mucin degradation, and antibiotic susceptibility were evaluated. Considering the preliminary probiotic features and safety, the strains were selected for complementary tests: tolerance to gastrointestinal tract (GIT) conditions, adhesion to Caco-2 cells and β-galactosidase activity, and presence of genes encoding virulence factors, antibiotic resistance, and biogenic amines were also performed for the selected strains. Enterococcus faecium SJRP20 and SJRP65 resisted well to the GIT conditions, presented low adhesion property, produced β-galactosidase although they did not present genes implicated in adhesion, aggregation, and colonization. Enterococcus faecium SJRP65 showed fewer genes related to antibiotic resistance and virulence factors and presented good functional properties, with interesting features for future application in dairy products.     

Auto-aggregation and Co-aggregation ability in bifidobacteria and clostridia

A total of 142 human and 88 calf bifidobacteria were isolated and identified; approximately 12 % of all isolated strains exhibited auto-aggregation (Agg) phenotype (Agg+). Properties considered to be predicting for their adhesion to intestine, i.e. auto-aggregation, and hydrophobicity were determined by xylene extraction in 18 human and 8 calf origin bifidobacteria. Co-aggregation of 8 human bifidobacteria with 8 clostridia was also evaluated. Agg varied between 16.3 and 96.4 %, hydrophobicity values ranged from 0 to 82.8 %. The strongest Agg and hydrophobicity were observed in B. bifidum and B. merycicum isolates. However, there were no statistically significant correlations between these two properties. Variability in the percentage of Agg and hydrophobicity was observed after cultivation of bifidobacteria on different carbon sources. All bifidobacteria showed co-aggregation ability with clostridia tested but there were remarkable differences depending on specific combinations of strains. The bifidobacterial strains with the highest ability to co-aggregate with clostridia were B. bifidum I4 and B. longum I10 isolated from infants; these strains gave also high values of Agg. Agg properties together with co-aggregation ability with potential pathogen can be used for preliminary selection of probiotic bacteria.     

Lactic acid bacteria isolated from fermented flour of finger millet,its probiotic attributes and bioactive properties

This study aims to isolate and identify lactic acid bacteria from fermented flour of selected finger millet varieties grown in Sri Lanka and to evaluate their probiotic attributes and bioactive properties in vitro. Fifteen lactic acid bacteria were isolated from three varieties of fermented finger millet flour namely ravi, raavana and oshadha. These isolates were screened for phenotypical and biochemical characteristics. The selected isolates were identified by 16 S rRNA sequencing as Bacillus cereus (five strains), Streptococcus lutetiensis, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus fermentum (two strains), Brevibacillus borstelensis, Paenibacillus species, Lactococcus lactis subspecies lactis, Enterococcus faecium, Pediococcus acidilactici, and Enterococcus lactis, and their partial sequences were deposited in GenBank. Among them, five isolates including two isolates, L. plantarum MF405176.1 and L. fermentum MF033346.1 isolated from ravi; two isolates, L. lactis MF480428.1 and E. faecium MF480431.1 isolated from raavana; and P. acidilactici MF480434.1 isolated from oshadha varieties respectively, exhibited in vitro safety attributes and could tolerate acid, gastric juice, bile, salt, phenol, and temperature under simulated gastric conditions, and also were susceptible to antibiotics tested. Further, they demonstrated bactericidal activity against both drug-sensitive and multidrug-resistant pathogens. Among the selected isolates, L. plantarum MF405176.1 demonstrated highest hydrophobicity and adhesion to both colon colorectal adenocarcinoma and colon colorectal carcinoma cell lines. L. lactis subspecies lactis MF480428.1 exhibited the highest auto-aggregation and 2, 2, diphenyl-1-pricrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging activity. P. acidilactici MF480434.1 demonstrated the lowest IC50 values against HCT-116 and HT-29 cells. None of the LAB isolates could assimilate > 10% cholesterol in vitro.     

Production of phenyllactic acid by lactic acid bacteria: an approach to the selection of strains contributing to food quality and preservation

The ability of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to produce phenyllactic (PLA) and 4-hydroxy-phenyllactic (OH-PLA) acids, metabolites involved in food quality and preservation, has been evaluated by HPLC analysis in 29 LAB strains belonging to 12 species widely used in the production of fermented foods. Metabolite production was demonstrated for all strains of the species Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus alimentarius, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis, Lactobacillus hilgardii, Leuconostoc citreum, and for some strains of Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides. Strains were distinguished by analysis of variance in three groups including 15 strains that produced both metabolites (0.16-0.46 mM PLA and 0.07-0.29 mM OH-PLA), five strains accumulating in culture only PLA (0.17-0.57 mM) and nine non-producer strains (< or = 0.10 mM PLA and < or = 0.02 mM OH-PLA). Improvement of phenyllactic acid production was obtained in a selected L. plantarum strain by increasing the concentration of phenylalanine in culture and using low amounts of tyrosine.     

The effect of cell surface components on adhesion ability of Lactobacillus rhamnosus

The aim of this study was to analyze the cell envelope components and surface properties of two phenotypes of Lactobacillus rhamnosus isolated from the human gastrointestinal tract. The ability of the bacteria to adhere to human intestinal cells and to aggregate with other bacteria was determined. L. rhamnosus strains E/N and PEN differed with regard to the presence of exopolysaccharides (EPS) and specific surface proteins. Transmission electron microscopy showed differences in the structure of the outer cell surface of the strains tested. Bacterial surface properties were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, fatty acid methyl esters and hydrophobicity assays. Aggregation capacity and adhesion of the tested strains to the human colon adenocarcinoma cell line HT29 was determined. The results indicated a high adhesion and aggregation ability of L. rhamnosus PEN, which possessed specific surface proteins, had a unique fatty acid content, and did not synthesize EPS. Adherence of L. rhamnosus was dependent on specific interactions and was promoted by surface proteins (42–114 kDa) and specific fatty acids. Polysaccharides likely hindered bacterial adhesion and aggregation by masking protein receptors. This study provides information on the cell envelope constituents of lactobacilli that influence bacterial aggregation and adhesion to intestinal cells. This knowledge will help to understand better their specific contribution in commensal–host interactions and adaptation to this ecological niche.     

Insight into probiotic properties of lactic acid bacterial endosymbionts of Apis mellifera L. derived from the Polish apiary

Taking into account that fructophilic lactic acid bacteria (FLAB) can play an important role in the health of honey bees and can be used as probiotics, phenotypic properties of probiotic interest of Lactobacillus kunkeei (12 strains) and Fructobacillus fructossus bacteria (2 strains), isolated from Apis mellifera gastrointestinal tract, have been studied. We have evaluated survival of tested FLAB in honey bee gut, their susceptibility to antibiotics (ampicillin, erythromycin, tylosin), cell surface hydrophobicity, auto-aggregation ability, co-aggregation with model pathogenic bacteria, biofilm formation capacity, and effect of studied FLAB, added to sucrose syrup bee diet, on longevity of honey bees. The tested FLAB exhibited good gastrointestinal tract tolerance and high antibiotic susceptibility, which are important criteria in the screening of probiotic candidates. It was also found that all FLAB studied have high cell surface hydrophobicity and fulfil next selection criterion for their use as probiotics. Symbionts of A. mellifera showed also auto- and co-aggregation capacities regarded as valuable features for biofilm formation and inhibition of pathogens adhesion to the bee gut cells. Biofilm-development ability is a desired characteristic of probiotic lactic acid bacteria. As indicated by quantitative crystal violet-stained microplate assay and confocal laser scanning microscopy imaging, all studied A. mellifera gut isolates exhibit a biofilm positive phenotype. Moreover, it was also documented, on honey bees kept in cages, that supplementation of A. mellifera sucrose diet with FLAB decreases mortality and improves significantly longevity of honey bees. Presented research showed that A. mellifera FLAB symbionts are good candidates for application as probiotics.