Technological and probiotic characteristics of Lactobacillus plantarum strains isolated from traditionally produced fermented vegetables

The technological and probiotic characteristics of a number of Lactobacillus plantarum strains (previously isolated and identified from traditionally produced fermented vegetables) were compared, with the aim of identifying potential starter cultures to be used for the fermentation of vegetables. The L. plantarum strains were differentiated by their plasmid profiles; 12 separate strains with different plasmid profiles were examined. Other than survival in different concentrations of NaCl, the technological characteristics of all the strains examined were similar. However, strain-dependent variations in probiotic features were observed, with low pH in particular found to be a restrictive condition for all strains. The results indicated that, among the tested strains, L. plantarum 3 and 22 had good technological properties whereas L. plantarum 66 was significantly efficient in terms of probiotic features. Overall, L. plantarum 22 was found to be the most appropriate strain due to its combination of technological and probiotic properties.