GABA-Producing Lactococcus lactis Strains Isolated from Camel's Milk as Starters for the Production of GABA-Enriched Cheese.

The multiple health benefits attributed to the bioactive compound γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) have prompted the food industry to investigate the development of functional GABA-rich foods via the use of GABA-producing microorganisms. This study reports the isolation of six GABA-producing Lactococcus lactis strains from camel's milk; this is the first time that such microorganisms have been isolated from milk. The sequencing and in silico analysis of their genomes, and the characterisation of their technological and safety properties, confirmed their potential as starters. Experimental cheeses made with all six strains (individually) accumulated GABA at concentrations of up to 457 mg/kg. These GABA-producing L. lactis strains could be used as starter cultures for the manufacture of functional GABA-enriched cheeses that provide health benefits to consumers.

Polyphasic Characterisation of Non-Starter Lactic Acid Bacteria from Algerian Raw Camel's Milk and Their Technological Aptitudes.

RESEARCH BACKGROUND: Consumption of spontaneously fermented camel´s milk is common in Algeria, making it a feasible source of diverse lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with the potential to be used as adjunct cultures to improve quality and safety of fermented dairy products. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Twelve raw camel´s milk samples were used as a source of indigenous LAB, which were further characterised by examining39 phenotypic traits with technological relevance. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Thirty-five non-starter LAB (NSLAB) were isolated from 12 Algerian raw camel's milk samples and they were microbiologically, biochemically and genetically characterised. Some isolates showed proteolytic activity, acidifying capacity, the ability to use citrate, and to produce dextran and acetoin. Ethanol, acetaldehyde, methyl acetate, acetoin and acetic acid were the major volatile compounds detected. Cluster analysis performed using the unweighted group with arithmetic average (UPGMA) method, and based on the thirty-nine phenotypic characteristics investigated, reflected the microbial diversity that can be found in raw camel´s milk. NOVELTY AND SCIENTIFIC CONTRIBUTION: The isolated strains, from a non-typical source, showed interesting technological traits to be considered as potential adjunct cultures. Cluster analysis based on the examined phenotypic characteristics proved to be a useful tool for the typification of isolates when no genetic information is available. These findings may be of use towards an industrialised production of camel's milk dairy products.