Antagonistic effect of the kefir on endospores and vegetative cells of bacillus cereus and clostridium perfringens

The bactericide effect of the kefir was studied on endospores and vegetative cells of Bacillus cereus and Clostridium perfringens inoculated in kefir during its storage. Samples of kefir of two different origins, one Italian and the other Peruvian were inoculated with a well-known population of B. cereus and Cl. perfringens (106 UFC/mL) and conserved at 4°C during 30 days. Every two days it was carried out a recount of lactic bacteria, of yeasts, of the pathogenic added and the pH was determined. The population of vegetative cells of B. cereus reduced to non detectable levels in 14 days of storage and of its endospores in 20 days of storage. Regarding Cl. perfringens the population of vegetative cells and its endospores reduced to non detectable levels in 14 and 18 days of storage, respectively. The results confirm the bactericide effects of the starter cultures of kefir.