Evaluation of the probiotic potential of Weissella confusa and Lactobacillus paracasei strains isolated from Nigerian traditional dairy fermented foods and cow's intestines

Abstract

Infectious diseases are still major causes of death in developing countries especially Africa. Current chemotherapy rely almost exclusively on the use of antibiotics, however this is becoming ineffective due to global problem of antibiotic resistance. Hence the need for alternative chemotherapy through the use of viable Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) as probiotics. This study was carried out to characterize the probiotic potential of selected LAB strains isolated in Nigeria from traditional fermented dairy foods and cow's intestines samples in order to select strains for probiotic use in the gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts that will lessen possible infections in the tracts.