For preparation of heat-killed cells, the cell pellet of 5 selected strains with the highest effect of removing cholesterol was washed twice with 10 mL of sterile distilledwater and autoclaved for 15 min at 121 C, then diluted with ringer solution and counted by microscope. The heat-killed cells were suspended in MRS broth containing 0.3 g/100 mL oxgall and water-soluble cholesterol concentration. The tubes were incubated for 24 h at 37 C and then centrifuged like growing cells.