Mixed Cultures of Food-grade Probiotic Bacteria and Enteric Bacteria Demonstrate Both Synergism and Inhibition of Menaquinone Production.

BSTRACT: The interaction between probiotic ( Enterococcus spp., Lactobacillus spp., and Lactococcus spp.) and enteric ( Bacteroides spp., Escherichia coli, and Salmonella spp.) bacteria with respect to menaquinone production was examined. Menaquinones were measured in cell pellets by high-pressure liquid chromatography and the main homologues produced were MIK7-11. The growth of both Bacteroides and E. coli cultured with the 3 probiotics was significantly inhibited with concomitant reduction in menaquinone production. The vitamin K status of humans could be affected by consumption of probiotic dairy foods via the contribution made by gut microflora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]