Cholesterol-lowering effect of lactic acid bacteria (LAB:
Streptococcus, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium) is wellknown.
Thus, we investigated LAB isolated from human
intestine on the cholesterol-lowering effect in vitro. Seven
Streptococcus (61.1%), 11 Lactobacillus (71.8%) and 7
Bifidobacterium (27.9%) were isolated as acid (pH 2.5 and
3.0) and bile (0.3% oxgall) tolerant strains. Streptococcus
HJS-1, Lactobacillus HJL-37 and Bifidobacterium HJB-4
were finally selected as probiotic strains to use through
the bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity assay by using MRS
media added taurodeoxycholic acid (TDCA) and the
cholesterol-lowering test by using soluble cholesterol
containing MRS broth. These studies suggested that the
isolated LAB had an excellent hypocholesterolemic effect.