Production of butyric acid by different strains of Lactobacillus plantarum (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum)

The butyric acid content produced by three Lactobacillus plantarum (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum) strains (FP37, FP38 and FP48) deposited as probiotic strains was determined. The experimentation was carried out to evaluate whether the production of butyric acid was due to lipolytic activity for the presence of specific lipases or was related to the fermentation of saccharides. Therefore, the three strains were inoculated in different substrates with and without the addition of fat (tributyrin). The free butyric acid contents were determined by gas chromatography after distilling each culture medium. The results showed that butyric acid production occurred mainly in the substrates supplemented with fat and therefore it was linked to the activity of specific L. plantarum lipase. The L. plantarum FP48 strain produced the highest amount of butyric acid in fat substrates and could be a useful strain in the development of dairy products with functional properties.