Abstract
Equol producing lactic acid bacterium, Lactococcus 20-92, isolated from healthy human feces was identified as homologous to Lactococcus garvieae. To evaluate the safety of Lactococcus 20-92, we investigated the dietary history of Lactococcus garvieae and its existence in the human intestine. Detection of Lactococcus garvieae in traditional Italian cheeses and feces collected from Japanese healthy women were analyzed by the RT-PCR method using species-specific primers. Lactococcus garvieae was detected in 7 types (21 samples) of traditional Italian cheese, Toma Piemontase, Raschera, Bra duro, Bra tenero, Murazzano, Castelmagno and Robiola di Roccaverano collected in Italy and Japan. It was also detected in 49 samples out of 135 samples of human feces (detection rate 36.3%). In this study, the dietary history of Lactococcus garvieae became clear through the confirmation of the existence of Lactococcus garvieae in some traditionally cheeses eaten. Moreover, it was clear that Lactococcus garvieae commonly exists in the healthy human intestine. These results suggest that Lactococcus garvieae is highly safe. Therefore, we consider that the human feces derived Lactococcus 20-92 is also highly safe bacteria, and its utilization in foods of the future is anticipated.
