Characterization of Streptococcus thermophilus strains that undergo lysis under unfavourable environmental conditions

The autolysis of starter lactic acid bacteria appears as a promising way to enhance the flavour of fermented dairy products. The present work was aimed at investigating the autolysis phenomenon in Streptococcus thermophilus, a thermophilic lactic acid bacteria involved in the starters used for the production of yoghurts, Italian and Swiss-type cheeses. Out of 146 strains screened for their aptitude to spontaneously lyse at the end of growth in M17 medium containing lactose in limited concentration six strains, among which is the type strain CNRZ 1358, were found to be highly autolytic. These autolytic strains are characterized by a typical bell-shaped growth curve. Lysis of the type strain, which was studied as the model, was triggered under unfavourable environmental conditions, such as lactose depletion and NaCl or organic solvents addition. The lysogenic character of this strain was evidenced. Taken together, our results indicate that the autolytic phenotype in S. thermophilus is linked to the lysogenic character but does not result from the massive prophage induction under stressing conditions. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.