Adhesion characterization may be an important quality-control
method for assessing the surface structure of probiotic bacteria and
related gut barrier effects. In several studies, adhesion was related
to a shortening of duration of diarrhea, immunogenic effects, competitive
exclusion, and other health effects (2, 5, 10–12).
Adhesion of probiotic strains is variable. Adhesion in different
in vitro models varies even within the same strain and differences
between strains can be significant (13–15). Adhesion
of some common probiotic strains was studied by using a
human colon carcinoma cell line (Caco-2) and human ileostomy
glycoproteins as in vitro models for intestinal epithelium and
mucus, respectively (Figure 3). Of 6 probiotic strains tested,
only Lactobacillus johnsonii LJ-1 and Lactobacillus GG were