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. 1986 Apr;51(4):825–831. doi: 10.1128/aem.51.4.825-831.1986

Transport and Metabolism of Lactose, Glucose, and Galactose in Homofermentative Lactobacilli

Malcolm W Hickey 1,†, Alan J Hillier 1,*, G Richard Jago 1
PMCID: PMC238968  PMID: 16347041

Abstract

A number of species of lactobacilli were examined for their ability to ferment both the glucose and galactose moieties of lactose. Lactobacillus helveticus strains metabolized both the glucose and galactose moieties, whereas L. bulgaricus, L. lactis, and L. acidophilus strains metabolized only the glucose moiety and released galactose into the growth medium. All four species tested contained β-galactosidase activity, and no significant phospho-β-galactosidase activity was observed. L. bulgaricus and L. helveticus had a phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP):glucose phosphotransferase system for the uptake of glucose, but no evidence for a PEP:lactose phosphotransferase or PEP:galactose phosphotransferase system was obtained.

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Selected References

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