Hydrogen peroxide produced by Lactobacillus species as a regulatory molecule for vaginal microflora
Strus, M.; Brzychczy-Włoch, M.; Kochan, P.; Heczko, P.
Medycyna Doswiadczalna i Mikrobiologia 56(1): 67-77
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-8601 PMID: 15524398 Document Number: 575704
A total of 33 strains of Lactobacillus belonging to 9 species, isolated from the vagina, were tested for the production of hydrogen peroxide. The most predominant species that secrete hydrogen peroxide were L. delbrueckii, L. acidophilus, L. crispatus, L. johnsonii and L. gasseri. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide ranged from 0.05 to 1.06 mM (in case of strong aeration, the concentration increased up to 1.8 mM). The antibacterial effect of the pure hydrogen peroxide against Escherichia coli and Candida albicans was less strong than that of the supernatants of cultures of hydrogen peroxide-producing Lactobacillus strains.