Recovery and Identification of Bovine Colostrum Microflora Using Traditional and Molecular Approaches
Juliano De Dea Lindner1,2*, Marcela Santarelli3, Caroline Tiemi Yamaguishi2, Carlos Ricardo Soccol2 and Erasmo Neviani3
1Incorpore Foods, Research and Development Department, Avenida Santa Catarina 2222, 88330-000 Camboriú, SC, Brazil
2Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology Division, Centro Politécnico, Federal University of Paraná, 81531-970 Curitiba, PR, Brazil
3Department of Genetics, Biology of Microorganisms, Anthropology and Evolution, University of Parma, Via Usberti 11/A, IT-43100 Parma, Italy
Article history:
Received August 23, 2010
Accepted January 19, 2011
Key words:
bovine colostrum, microflora identification, 16S rRNA, LH-PCR, probiotic microorganisms
Summary:
Colostrum is the first milk produced by the mammary gland during the early postpartum period. In addition to nutrients, antimicrobial and growth factors, bovine colostrum contains valuable microflora, including members of the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, which have been used widely in probiotic food. The aim of this work is to identify and quantify the microflora of colostrum samples from two Holstein dairy cows on the first three postpartum days through culture-dependent 16S rRNA gene sequencing and length heterogeneity polymerase chain reaction (LH-PCR) techniques, using an adapted method to extract the total DNA. Twenty-nine strains isolated in synthetic media were identified by their 16S rRNA gene sequences, revealing two potential probiotic strains (Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium pseudolongum). Colostrum samples were subjected to LH-PCR analysis to obtain fingerprint profiles of the microflora. Lactobacillus casei was the main species present in the samples. The probiotic potential of these bacteria for use in fermented and functional foods remains to be evaluated.
*Corresponding author: 
++55 47 9649 2421
++55 47 3363 0228
August 23, 2010