the acid tolerance of the isolates was evaluated by the method with slight modifications. Liquid cultures of the isolates were incubated in pepsin supplemented MRS broths that were adjusted to pH 2.0,2.5 and 3.0 with 0.1 N HCL. after 3 h incubation at 37 c., viable cells that survived at low pH were counted using MRS agar medium by the plate count method. The type strain LB. rhamnasus was used as the control