When evaluating the surface characteristics of the LAB isolates,
most showed a low degree of hydrophobicity and autoaggregation.
In the lactobacilli group only a few isolates expressed high or mean
hydrophobicity. Autoaggregation was observed in lactobacilli more
commonly than in cocci. Overall, there was no correlation between
the two surfaces properties evaluated, which was in agreement
with the Pearson correlation factor (0.148) obtained. Nevertheless,
there was a group of three LAB isolates that expressed a hydrophobicity
value higher than 60% and eight isolates showing autoaggregation
index higher than 30%. Fig. 3 summarizes the individual
values of all the isolates and their relationships