单核细胞增多性李斯特菌在体外模拟消化道环境中的抗性

[目的]通过测定存活率及细胞内pH(pHi)变化,分析单核细胞增多性李斯特菌(单增李斯特菌)在体外模拟消化道中的抗性.[方法]模拟唾液、胃液和小肠液根据其主要组成成分配制,按试验设计顺次加入后获得模拟的消化道各段混合液(包括相应的pH及其可能的范围).平板计数法测定单增李斯特菌在模拟消化液中的存活率,并用荧光比例成像显微镜(fluorescence ratio imaging microscopy,FRIM)测定细菌的pHi.[结果]单增李斯特菌在唾液中存活率＞90％;经pH≤3.0的胃液处理后,其在胃液和胃-肠混合液中的存活率低于0.05％;提高胃液pH至3.5,细菌存活率开始上升;在胃液pH4.0时,两株单增李斯特菌在模拟胃肠液中存活率显著提高(11.2％-85.9％).FRIM研究表明,单增李斯特菌在模拟唾液中的pHi与对照组相近.经过pH为3.5和4.0的胃液和胃-肠混合液处理后,pHi值仍维持在较高水平(＞7.75).[结论]单增李斯特菌在经过pH≥3.5胃液后,能够维持菌体细胞内的pH稳态,且存活率较高,表明其细胞膜仍保持完整.     

伯顿毕赤酵母菌在酸性及胆盐环境的抗逆性研究

目的探究伯顿毕赤酵母菌在酸性及胆盐环境下的益生特性,为研制益生菌制剂提供理论依据。方法采用稀释平板计数法,在pH 1.0、1.5、2.0、2.5、3.0和胆盐浓度0.1%、0.2%、0.3%、0.4%的PDA液体培养基以及人工胃液作用0、2、4h,人工肠液作用0、2、4、6、8、10h环境下,分别测定伯顿毕赤酵母菌的活菌数。结果耐酸实验中,各酸性实验组活菌数与对照组比较均下降明显(P0.01),酸度越高,活菌数越少;耐胆盐实验中,胆盐浓度越高,活菌含量越少,其中0.2%、0.3%和0.4%的胆盐浓度与对照组比较活菌数下降明显(P0.01);人工胃液实验中,经过pH 1.5人工胃液处理4h,菌株存活率达42.78%,而经过pH 2.5和3.5的人工胃液处理4h,存活率分别为138.17%和182.90%;人工肠液实验中,随着处理时间的延长,活菌数也增加,且不同时间段的活菌数差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论伯顿毕赤酵母菌能够在极高的酸性和较高的胆盐环境以及人工胃肠液环境中存活和定植,符合制备益生菌制剂的条件。     

模拟秋季酸雨对三角枫叶片光合生理特性的影响

以三角枫幼苗为材料,采用盆栽方法,研究了pH 5.6、pH 4.0、pH 3.0和pH 2.0酸度模拟酸雨胁迫对三角枫叶片光合生理特性的影响,以探讨酸雨胁迫下三角枫的光合生理响应机制。结果显示:(1)随着酸雨浓度的增加和胁迫时间的延长,三角枫叶片相对叶绿素含量下降幅度逐步增大;叶片丙二醛含量呈逐渐上升的趋势,且各处理均显著高于对照;叶片质膜透性和脯氨酸含量均呈先升高后降低的趋势,且pH 2.0处理的叶片质膜透性在试验20d时迅速增大,升高幅度最大(146.3%)。(2)叶片净光合速率、蒸腾速率、水分利用效率、表观光能利用效率以及表观CO2利用效率在胁迫下也均呈显著下降趋势,且以pH 3.0和pH 2.0处理降幅最大。研究表明,pH 4.0的模拟酸雨对三角枫叶片的光合生理指标无显著影响,而pH≤3.0的强酸雨胁迫使三角枫叶片叶绿素含量显著下降、膜保护系统受损、光合作用效率显著下降;三角枫能适应弱酸雨(pH≥4.0)环境,可作为酸雨地区的园林绿化树种。     

幽门螺旋菌与胃液pH值关系的探讨

为探讨胃液酸度对幽门螺旋菌(HP)的影响,我们对609例胃、十二指肠疾病患者进行HP检查和pH值测定,结果发现:在257例胃液pH≤2.0患者中,HP阳性率为47.5％(112/257),在311例HP阳性患者中,pH≤2.0者占39.2％(122/311);胃液pH≥4.0患者的HP阳性率高于HP<4.0者,且阳性率有显著差异(P<0.05);另外,十二指肠溃疡患者在高胃酸环境下HP阳性率较高(为75％),并对其阳性率较高的机理进行了探讨。     

几株饲用益生菌对体外模拟胃肠道环境的抗逆性评估

目的研究几株益生菌胃肠道环境下的抗逆能力。方法体外模拟正常猪的胃肠道环境,配制人工肠液和人工胃液,将实验室几株饲用益生菌在人工胃液和人工肠液中分别作用4、6 h,每2 h测一次活菌量。结果实验菌株对模拟胃液的耐受性都较强;除乳酸菌A外,其他菌株对模拟肠液的耐受性也较强。结论除乳酸菌A外的几株实验菌种作为饲用益生菌在抵御猪胃肠道的不良环境方面有很大优势。     

模拟酸雨对银杏雌雄幼苗生长及生理特性的影响

本试验采用盆栽方法,研究了4种pH值(5.6、5.0、4.0、3.0)条件下的模拟酸雨对银杏雌、雄幼苗生长及叶片主要生理生化特性的影响。结果表明,随着模拟酸雨pH值的不断降低,银杏雌、雄幼苗地上部分可见伤害逐渐出现,其叶片相对含水量、光合色素含量和抗氧化酶活性逐渐降低,而丙二醛、可溶性蛋白质和游离脯氨酸含量逐渐升高。与pH值为5.6的对照相比,pH值5.0和4.0的模拟酸雨对上述测定值的影响并不明显,而在pH值3.0的模拟酸雨处理后,大部分测定值的变化幅度达到了显著水平。尽管在上述4种处理条件下银杏雌、雄幼苗地上部分所表现出的可见伤害并无明显差异,但从叶片相对含水量、比叶面积、抗氧化酶活性、光合色素含量和各种生化物质含量的测定值进行分析发现,银杏雄株内部生理生化过程受到的干扰要大于雌株。由此推测,高浓度的酸雨(pH=3.0)会影响银杏雌、雄幼苗的正常生长,其耐酸阈值应在pH值4.0~3.0间,且银杏雌株幼苗在耐酸性方面强于雄株。     

蒙古族儿童源益生特性双歧杆菌的筛选及鉴定

【目的】双歧杆菌在人和动物胃肠道中发挥着重要的生理作用,然而双歧杆菌能否耐受胃酸、肠液及胆汁酸是影响活菌制剂益生效果的关键因素,本研究旨在从蒙古族儿童粪便中分离筛选出具有良好益生特性的双岐杆菌。【方法】本文采用双岐杆菌选择性培养基对样品进行分离纯化,并对菌株进行生理生化鉴定,以耐受人工胃肠液、耐受牛胆盐为手段对各菌株的益生特性进行评价,并且对B. animalisV9进行了16S rDNA分子生物学鉴定。【结果】本文从12位健康蒙古族儿童粪便中分离得到11株双歧杆菌,经传统生理生化试验鉴定为5株B. adolescentis：A1、H3、G4、A8、V10;3株B. longum：C6、C7、D11;1株B. pseudocatenlatum：B2;1株B. bifidum：G5;1株B. animalis：V9。B. animalis V9具有较强的耐酸性,在pH2.0的人工胃液中厌氧培养3h后存活率为92.4%,而其它10株双歧杆菌在此条件下的存活率均小于31.25%;B. animalis V9在pH2.0的人工胃液中厌氧培养3h后接入pH8.0的人工肠液中消化8h,存活率为99.7%,并且可以耐受0.3%的牛胆盐。进一步对V9菌株进行16S rDNA分子生物学鉴定,发现与Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactic BB12的同源性为99%。【结论】本研究结果显示B. animalis V9来源安全,并且具有良好耐酸、耐胆盐益生特性,有望在乳制品及保健类产品中得到广泛的应用。     

低剂量三聚氰胺对小鼠精子质量影响的研究

采用灌胃法,研究了三聚氰胺在1.0 mg/kg、2.0 mg/kg、4.0 mg/kg浓度下染毒35 d时,小鼠体重、精子运动参数和精子形态的变化.结果显示,4.0 mg/kg 处理组小鼠部分精子运动参数显著性降低(P＜0.05),1.0 mg/kg 和2.0 mg/kg 浓度组各项精子运动参数与对照比较变化不显著(P＞0.05);在染毒一周后,2.0 mg/kg 浓度组小鼠体重增长显著性下降(P＜0.05),4.0 mg/kg 浓度组小鼠体重极显著降低(P＜0.01);3个处理浓度组对小鼠精子形态影响均不显著.总之,食物中低浓度三聚氰胺对小鼠精子活性和形态无明显的影响.     

模拟酸沉降对鼎湖山季风常绿阔叶林地表径流水化学特征的影响

通过模拟酸沉降实验,研究了旱季期间(10-3月份)鼎湖山季风常绿阔叶林在4种不同pH模拟酸雨处理(对照、pH 4.0、pH 3.5、pH 3.0)下地表径流水化学输出特征.结果显示:(1)地表径流pH随酸处理强度增强呈“U”型变化模式,酸沉降对地表径流pH的影响不显著(P＞0.05),表明模拟酸沉降尚未引起地表水的酸化.(2)地表径流中NO3-、SO24-浓度随酸处理强度增强略有增加;HCO3-浓度的变化模式与地表径流pH类似.酸根离子浓度与地表径流pH相关性分析表明,SO24-、HCO3-有助于提高地表水抗酸化能力而NO3-则有助于促进地表水酸化.(3)地表径流中盐基离子对酸沉降的响应不尽相同.pH 3.0处理显著提高地表径流中Ca2+、Na+浓度;Mg2+浓度具有随酸处理梯度增强而增加的趋势;K+受模拟酸度的影响小.表明强酸(pH3.0)处理将导致土壤Na+、Ca2+、Mg2+盐基离子流失.(4)酸沉降具有诱发土壤可溶性有机碳(DOC)流失的倾向,增加地表水受有机污染的风险.     

模拟酸雨对刨花楠幼苗生长和光合生理的影响

研究了模拟酸雨对亚热带典型用材树种和经济树种刨花楠(Machilus pauhoi)幼苗生长和光合生理的影响,以期为浙江省引种刨花楠提供科学依据.结果表明,pH4.0的模拟酸雨对刨花楠株高、地径和叶绿素含量无明显影响,而pH2.5的模拟酸雨使株高显著降低;pH为4.0的模拟酸雨对刨花楠的光合参数无显著影响,而pH为2.5的酸雨处理则能明显提高刨花楠的胞间CO2浓度、暗呼吸速率以及光补偿点、增加气孔导度和蒸腾速率,显著降低最大净光合速率;相关分析和回归分析表明,酸雨增加了刨花楠对环境的敏感性.     

两株乳酸杆菌益生菌特性的研究

对两株乳酸杆菌作为益生菌的特性进行分析。采用人工胃液、人工肠液,及体外培养人结肠癌细胞株HT-29,模拟 上消化道环境,检测候选菌株L.acidophilus1.1878和L.rhamnosus1.120对上消化道环境的耐受性和粘附性;以琼脂扩散打孔 法,检测候选菌株SCS对4种常见肠道致病菌的抑菌能力。结果表明,两株候选菌株可耐受pH>3.0的人工胃液,及0.2%的 胆盐浓度;光镜观察L.acidophilus1.1878、L.rhamnosus1.120粘附于HT-29细胞边缘,平均4.5～7个/细胞,扫描电镜观察 L.acidophilus1.1878、L.rhamnosus1.120粘附于HT-29细胞表面的刷状缘,且细胞表面结构完整;对4种肠道致病菌的抑菌 圈直径均在12mm以上。证明实验观察的两株乳酸杆菌具有较好的耐酸、耐胆盐及粘附、抑菌特性,符合益生菌的标准。     

Survival of probiotic lactobacilli in acidic environments is enhanced in the presence of metabolizable sugars

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG is an industrially significant probiotic strain with proven health benefits. In this study, the effect of glucose on L. rhamnosus GG survival was analyzed in simulated gastric juice at pH 2.0. It was found that the presence of 19.4 mM glucose resulted in up to 6-log10-enhanced survival following 90 min of exposure. Further work with dilute HCl confirmed that glucose was the sole component responsible. Comparative analysis with other Lactobacillus strains revealed that enhanced survival was apparent in all strains, but at different pH values. The presence of glucose at concentrations from 1 to 19.4 mM enhanced L. rhamnosus GG survival from 6.4 to 8 log10 CFU ml(-1) in simulated gastric juice. The mechanisms behind the protective effect of glucose were investigated. Addition of N',N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide to simulated gastric juice caused survival to collapse, which was indicative of a prominent role in inhibition of F0F1-ATPase. Further work with neomycin-resistant mutants that exhibited 38% to 48% of the F0F1-ATPase activity of the parent confirmed this, as the survival in the presence of glucose of these mutants decreased 3 x 10(6)-fold compared with the survival of the wild type (which had a viability of 8.02 log10 CFU ml(-1)). L. rhamnosus GG survival in acidic conditions occurred only in the presence of sugars that it could metabolize efficiently. To confirm the involvement of glycolysis in the glucose effect, iodoacetic acid was used to inhibit glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) activity. The reduction in GAPDH activity caused survival to decrease by 8.30 log10 CFU ml(-1) in the presence of glucose. The data indicate that glucose provides ATP to F0F1-ATPase via glycolysis, enabling proton exclusion and thereby enhancing survival during gastric transit.     

Assessment of synergistic combination potential of probiotic and bacteriophage against antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus exposed to simulated intestinal conditions

This study was designed to evaluate the combined effect of probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus and bacteriophage SA11 on the control of antibiotic-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (ASSA) and antibiotic-resistant S. aureus (ARSA) under the simulated intestinal conditions. The survivability of ASSA and ARSA were determined in the simulated phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)-, trypticase soy broth (TSB)-, and milk-based gastric juices adjusted to pH 2.0, 3.0, and 5.0 at 37 °C for 30 min. The inhibitory effect of bacteriophage SA11 and probiotic on the growth of ASSA and ARSA was evaluated in the simulated intestinal juices at 37 °C for 20 h. The least reductions in the numbers of ASSA and ARSA were observed in the milk-based gastric juices at pH 2.0 (<1 log). No significant changes in the teichoic acid-mediated sliding motility were observed for ASSA and ARSA after 30-min exposure to the simulated gastric juices (pH 2.0, 3.0, and 5.0), responsible for the enhanced bacterial attachment to the epithelial cells. The bacteriophage SA11 was stable down to pH 5.0 and up to 0.06 % bile salts. The bacteriophage SA11 combined with probiotic effectively inhibited the growth of ASSA and ARSA in the simulated intestinal conditions, showing more than 4 log reduction. The relative expression levels of adhesion-related genes (clfA, eno, and fnbA) and efflux-related genes (mdeA, norB, and norC) were less decreased in ARSA than in ASSA after exposure to the simulated gastrointestinal conditions. These results might shed light on the application of bacteriophage to control the ingested antibiotic-resistant foodborne pathogens in the intestinal tract.     

Probiotic potential of lactic acid bacteria isolated from chicken gastrointestinal digestive tract

This study was conducted in order to evaluate the probiotic properties of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from intestinal tract of broilers and Thai indigenous chickens. The major properties, including the gastric juice and bile salts tolerance, starch, protein and lipid digesting capabilities, and the inhibition on certain pathogenic bacteria were investigated. Three-hundred and twenty-two and 226 LAB strains were isolated from ten broilers and eight Thai indigenous chickens, respectively. The gastrointestinal transit tolerance of these 548 isolates was determined by exposing washed cell suspension at 41°C to simulated gastric juice (pH 2.5) containing pepsin (3 mg ml⁻¹), and to simulated small intestinal juice (pH 8.0) in the presence of pancreatin (1 mg ml⁻¹) and 7% fresh chicken bile, mimicking the gastrointestinal environment. The survival of 20 isolates was found after passing through the gastrointestinal conditions. The survival rates of six strains; KT3L20, KT2CR5, KT10L22, KT5S19, KT4S13 and PM1L12 from the sequential study were 43.68, 37.56, 33.84, 32.89, 31.37 and 27.19%, respectively. Twelve isolates exhibited protein digestion on agar plate but no isolates showed the ability to digest starch and lipid. All 20 LAB showed the antimicrobial activity against Salmonella sp., Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli except one strain which did not show the inhibitory activity toward E. coli. Accordingly, five isolates of selected LAB (KT2L24, KT3L20, KT4S13, KT3CE27 and KT8S16) can be classified as the best probiotics and were identified as Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus durans, Enterococcus faecium, Pediococcus pentosaceus, and Enterococcus faecium, respectively. The survival rate of microencapsulation of E. durans KT3L20 under simulated small intestine juice after sequential of simulated gastric juice was also investigated. An extrusion technique exhibited a higher survival rate than emulsion technique and free cell, respectively.     

Survival of Probiotic Lactobacilli in Acidic Environments Is Enhanced in the Presence of Metabolizable Sugars

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG is an industrially significant probiotic strain with proven health benefits. In this study, the effect of glucose on L. rhamnosus GG survival was analyzed in simulated gastric juice at pH 2.0. It was found that the presence of 19.4 mM glucose resulted in up to 6-log₁₀-enhanced survival following 90 min of exposure. Further work with dilute HCl confirmed that glucose was the sole component responsible. Comparative analysis with other Lactobacillus strains revealed that enhanced survival was apparent in all strains, but at different pH values. The presence of glucose at concentrations from 1 to 19.4 mM enhanced L. rhamnosus GG survival from 6.4 to 8 log₁₀ CFU ml⁻¹ in simulated gastric juice. The mechanisms behind the protective effect of glucose were investigated. Addition of N′,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide to simulated gastric juice caused survival to collapse, which was indicative of a prominent role in inhibition of F₀F₁-ATPase. Further work with neomycin-resistant mutants that exhibited 38% to 48% of the F₀F₁-ATPase activity of the parent confirmed this, as the survival in the presence of glucose of these mutants decreased 3 × 10⁶-fold compared with the survival of the wild type (which had a viability of 8.02 log₁₀ CFU ml⁻¹). L. rhamnosus GG survival in acidic conditions occurred only in the presence of sugars that it could metabolize efficiently. To confirm the involvement of glycolysis in the glucose effect, iodoacetic acid was used to inhibit glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) activity. The reduction in GAPDH activity caused survival to decrease by 8.30 log₁₀ CFU ml⁻¹ in the presence of glucose. The data indicate that glucose provides ATP to F₀F₁-ATPase via glycolysis, enabling proton exclusion and thereby enhancing survival during gastric transit.     

模拟人体胃肠道环境筛选益生乳杆菌

【目的】筛选具有益生特性的乳杆菌作为保健型酸奶的候选菌株。【方法】从健康人肠道和奶豆腐中分离筛选出耐受人工胃液的乳杆菌,对其进行体外益生特性(人工胃肠液耐受性、胆盐耐受性、抑菌活性及胆固醇降解能力)研究。【结果】从在乳杆菌分离培养基上有溶钙圈的41株菌株中筛选出5株耐酸、耐人工胃液较强的菌株,经16S rR NA基因测序鉴定,其中3株为乳杆菌,分别命名为植物乳杆菌Lp MT-3、植物乳杆菌Lp MT-5和唾液乳杆菌LsA F-7。在人工胃液中3株菌的耐受力均强于商品化的对照菌株LGG(鼠李糖乳杆菌GG);转入肠液4 h后直至26 h,Lp MT-5存活率基本稳定在45%左右,仅次于LGG。胆盐浓度为0.10%时,3株乳杆菌的耐胆盐能力均强于LGG;胆盐浓度为0.20%时,Lp MT-3和LsA F-7仍能存活。3株乳杆菌均具有抑菌活性,对粪肠球菌的抑制最明显,其次是金黄色葡萄球菌,对大肠杆菌、沙门氏菌的抑制作用较差。3株乳杆菌对胆固醇的清除效力依次为Lp MT-3LpM T-5Ls AF-7;清除率依次为Ls AF-7Lp MT-3LpM T-5。【结论】筛选出3株适应人体胃肠液环境、耐胆盐、抑菌及降胆固醇活力强的乳杆菌,可作为进一步开发新的益生菌产品和保健型酸奶的菌株。     

耐酸鼠李糖乳杆菌的驯化筛选研究

目的通过驯化以及筛选,得到能够耐酸的鼠李糖乳杆菌菌株。方法将鼠李糖乳杆菌三级发酵菌液接入人工胃液中驯化,获得耐酸菌株。经连续6次驯化筛选,以及人工肠液耐受性实验。结果鼠李糖乳杆菌GD0029在人工胃液中的存活率可达42.93%,比驯化前提高了2.7倍,其对人工肠液也具有较好的耐受性。结论筛选得到的鼠李糖乳杆菌菌株具有很高的应用价值。     

Synergistic antidigestion effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactobacillus rhamnosus</Emphasis> and bovine colostrums in simulated gastrointestinal tract (in vitro)

Probiotics and bovine colostrums had been proven to be beneficial for human health. Lactobacillus rhamnosus ZDY114 and anti-Helicobacter pylori bovine colostrums were used for the preparation of microecological additives, and their synergistic antidigestion effect in the simulated gastrointestinal tract (in vitro) was investigated. Either L. rhamnosus or purified IgG from immune colostrums was very sensitive in simulated gastric environment and slightly sensitive in simulated intestinal tract. No viable counts were recovered from the solution of dissolved freeze-dried powder (7.14 log(10) CFU/ml) of L. rhamnosus when digested at pH 3.0 with pepsin for 30 min. Activity of purified IgGs from immune colostrums could not be detected when digested at pH 3.0 with pepsin for 30 min; 29% titer could be detected when digested at pH 8.0 with trypsin for 5 h. The IgGs in nonpurified immune colostrums presented stronger resistance against gastrointestinal digestion than purified IgGs. Moreover, the combination of L. rhamnosus ZDY114 and immune colostrums strengthened their antidigestion ability. Even under pH 3.0, 4.0 with pepsin, the titer of anti-HP IgG maintained above 123 and 83.3%, respectively. Similarly, that titer was above 93.3% when digested at pH 8.0 with trypsin for 4.5 h. In conclusion, L. rhamnosus and anti-Helicobacter pylori bovine colostrums had synergistic antidigestion effect in simulated gastrointestinal tract (in vitro).     

Mast Cells and Gastrointestinal Dysmotility in the Cystic Fibrosis Mouse

Background

Cystic fibrosis (CF) has many effects on the gastrointestinal tract and a common problem in this disease is poor nutrition. In the CF mouse there is an innate immune response with a large influx of mast cells into the muscularis externa of the small intestine and gastrointestinal dysmotility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential role of mast cells in gastrointestinal dysmotility using the CF mouse (Cftr^tm1UNC, Cftr knockout).

Methodology

Wild type (WT) and CF mice were treated for 3 weeks with mast cell stabilizing drugs (ketotifen, cromolyn, doxantrazole) or were treated acutely with a mast cell activator (compound 48/80). Gastrointestinal transit was measured using gavage of a fluorescent tracer.

Results

In CF mice gastric emptying at 20 min post-gavage did not differ from WT, but was significantly less than in WT at 90 min post-gavage. Gastric emptying was significantly increased in WT mice by doxantrazole, but none of the mast cell stabilizers had any significant effect on gastric emptying in CF mice. Mast cell activation significantly enhanced gastric emptying in WT mice but not in CF mice. Small intestinal transit was significantly less in CF mice as compared to WT. Of the mast cell stabilizers, only doxantrazole significantly affected small intestinal transit in WT mice and none had any effect in CF mice. Mast cell activation resulted in a small but significant increase in small intestinal transit in CF mice but not WT mice.

Conclusions

The results indicate that mast cells are not involved in gastrointestinal dysmotility but their activation can stimulate small intestinal transit in cystic fibrosis.     

Survival of lactococci during passage through mouse digestive tract

One of the important properties of probiotics is the ability to survive in the intestine. There have been few studies on the probiotic property of lactococci, since they are formally not considered to be natural inhabitants of the intestine. To evaluate lactococci as probiotic bacteria, we investigated their ability to survive during gastric transit by in vitro and in vivo tests. When exposed to an in vitro simulated gastrointestinal environment, such as low pH and bile, only Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis bv. diacetylactis N7 showed a moderate survival rate among the four strains tested. The tested strains were orally administered to mice, and intestinal passage of the ingested strains was monitored by two methods: antibiotics and PCR. Viable cells of strain N7 were recovered from feces within 24-48 h after administration but not at 72 h. Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris ATCC 19257, which had a poor survival rate in vitro test, was also detected at 12 h but not at 24 h. These results indicate that lactococci can reach the mouse intestine alive, but not colonize it. If administered daily, viable strain N7 may exist continuously in the intestine. The effect of strain N7 on intestinal microbial balance and on animal health will be the subject of a further study.