Lactobacillus reuteri beta-galactosidase activity and low milk acidification ability

Beta-galactosidase activity was studied as a possible cause of the low milk acidification ability observed in Lactobacillus reuteri NRRL 14171. Enzymatic activity was determined in MRS broth supplemented with either glucose or lactose and milk at the middle and final stage of the exponential phase, as well as at the stationary phase. Results were compared with beta-galactosidase activity in Lactobacillus casei NRRL-B1922, a strain that shows the milk acidification ability. The effects of the types of carbon and nitrogen sources were established by comparison of growth parameters (higher maximum cell concentration and specific growth rate) in broth culture and skim milk supplemented with 2% glucose or 1% casein peptone. In milk, L. reuteri showed higher beta-galactosidase activity in all growth phases compared with L. casei. Greater cell concentration maxima, specific growth rates, and acidification abilities were observed in L. reuteri when it was cultured in milk supplemented with 1% casein peptone compared with non-supplemented milk cultures. Results suggest that the poor milk acidification ability observed in L. reuteri may be more related to a weak proteolytic system than to deficient beta-galactosidase activity.