Abstract: In this study,the effects of millet extracts and several dietary constituents individually(reducing sugars,free amino nitrogen) on the viability of L. plantarum,L.casei and L. acidophilus strains during exposure to 0.3% bile for 4 h in a phosphate-saline buffer at pH 7 were investigated to identify the physicochemical factors that can generally improve the viability of Lactobacillus under bile condition. The results indicated that millet extracts exhibit significant protective effects on the viability of L.plantarum,L.casei and L.acidophilus under bile condition,which is mainly attributed to soluble sugars presence in the millet extracts. The presence of free amino nitrogen in the millet extracts also increases Lactobacillus resistance to bile but to a lesser extent of glucose .

Key words: Lactobacillus, cell viability, millet extracts, bile tolerance