A total of 192 strains of lactic acid bacteria were isolated from five samples of artisanal minas cheese, from Serro region - Minas Gerais State. The results of direct inhibition test indicated that 48 strains (25%) inhibited the in vitro growth of the indicator microorganisms: Staphylococcusaureus and Listeriamonocytogenes. Those 48 strains were tested by the indirect inhibition test, and 10 strains (20.8%) showed a wide antimicrobial spectrum against Salmonellaenteritidisvar. typhimurium, Staphylococcusaureus, Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria innocua. None of the isolated strains was able to inhibit Escherichia coli.
Lactic acid bacteria; artisanal cheese; antimicrobial activity
