ASSESSMENT OF β-GALACTOSIDASE PRODUCTION BY LACTOBACILLUS SPECIES ISOLATED FROM OGI PRODUCED FROM COMPOSITE GRAINS.

The potential of lactobacilli isolated from Ogi, obtained from fermented composite grain, Zea may and Sorghum vulgare, to produce β-galactosidase was investigated. Three lactobacilli Viz: Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus brevis isolated from ogi were assessed for their ability to produce β-galactosidase. â-galactosidase activity was measured by the release of α-nitrophenol (ONP) from β-nitrophenol-β-galactopyranoside (ONPG). The production of β-galactosidase by the lactobacilli was highest at the pH range 6.5 to 7.6. Among the three lactobacilli isolates obtained from ogi, Lactobacillus fermentum exhibited better β-galactosidase production (249.78 µmole/ min/ml) at pH 7.5. Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus brevis had 153 µmole/min/ml and 142 µmole/min/ml respectively at the highest level of production. The present study reveals that lactobacilli isolated from Ogi is capable of producing appreciable quantity of β-galactosidase which can be used in addressing incidences of lactose intolerance in individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]