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. 2017 May 28;5(2):30. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms5020030

Table 2.

Desirable and undesirable characteristics of microorganisms used as starter cultures.

Properties Desirable Undesirable
Technological Ability to survive/grow in different salt concentrations;
Ability to survive/grow on high and low pH values;
Ability to attach on olive epidermis
Production of CO2;
Assimilation of lactic acid;
Production of mycotoxins and biogenic amines
Probiotic Survive in conditions simulating the passage through gastrointestinal tract;
Ability to adhere and colonize the epithelial cells;
Antimicrobial activity against pathogens;
Ability to aggregate with pathogens
Functional Bio-assimilation of phenolic compounds such as oleuropein;
Production of vitamins;
Antimicrobial activity
Enzymatic activity Esterase;
Lipase;
Catalase;
Phytase;
Alkaline/acid phosphatase;
β-glucosidase
Proteolytic and Xylanolytic activity