2. Materials and methods
2.1. Probiotic strain
L. casei ATCC 393 (DSMZ, Braunschweig, Germany) was grown at
37 C on de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe (MRS) broth (Fluka, Buchs,
Switzerland) under anaerobic conditions. The medium was sterilized
at 121 C for 15 min before use (pH 6.4 ± 0.1).