Use of dried microalgal biomasses to stimulate acid production and growth of Lactobacillus plantarum and Enterococcus faecium in milk

Abstract

Microalgae have been commercially cultured for nearly four decades with the main species grown being Chlorella and Spirulina. The effect of dried Spirulina platensis and Chlorella vulgaris biomasses, added at a concentration of 3 g/dm3, on acid production and growth of Lactobacillus plantarum and Enterococcus faecium strains used for feed fermentation purposes was evaluated in milks with total solids contents ranging from 12% to 30%. Our results showed that acid development by and growth rate of L. plantarum and E. faecium were stimulated significantly (P<0.05) by S. platensis and C. vulgaris, respectively, in all culture media formulations tested. In conclusion, the powdered Chlorella and Spirulina biomasses rich in biologically active compounds are potentially suitable for use in cost-effective production of novel, milk-based fermented feeds.