Vol. 9, Issue 11 (2020)

Author(s):
Mariya Divanshi AS, Dr. Aparna Sudhakaran V, Dr. AK Beena, Dr. Ligimol James and Aysha CH

Abstract:
The objective of this study was to isolate and evaluate the characteristics of a lactic acid bacterium from solely breast milk fed infant feces. The isolate obtained was Gram positive facultative anaerobic catalase negative, oxidase negative motile exopolysaccharide producing coccobacilli. The isolate had optimum growth at 37 ⁰C and pH 8 and also shown moderate growth at pH 5 and 8% NaCl concentration. The isolate was a homolactic fermenter of lactose. Genotypic identification by 16SrRNA partial sequencing confirmed it as Weissella confusa. Inability to cause hemolysis and liquefy gelatin suggests the possible absence of virulent factors. Antibiogram study revealed the isolate ability to resistant Amoxycillin, Ampicillin, Bacitracin, Chloramphenicol, Ciprofloxacin, Co-Trimoxazole and Vancomycin with a multiple antibiotic resistance index of 0.7. The isolate exhibited an autoaggregation of 75% which is an indication of excellent aggregation potential and cell surface hydrophobicity of 45%.