Phenotypic identification and technological properties of lactic acid bacteria isolated from three breeds dromedary raw milks in south Algeria

A total of 9 samples of individual dromedary raw milks from N ajjer (3 samples), Targui (3 samples) and Reguibi (3 samples) breeds were collected from 3 camels nomad herd in south Algeria and were analysed for bacterial load. A total of 23 isolates of lactic acid bacteria were obtained and characterized; 12 isolates were cocci and 11 isolates were facultatively heterofermentative lactobacilli. Lactic acid bacteria were identified on the basis of phenotypic characters as Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus durans, Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracsei, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus. Lactococci, enterococci and lactobacilli showed proteolytic activity and were found that differ in their acidifying activities. Proteolytic and autolytic activities were generally higher for most lactobacilli compared to other isolates and none of the isolates produced biogenic amines under the conditions tested. A number of the 23 lactic acid bacteria isolates from Algerian dromedary milks that were characterized here showed properties suggest that they are good candidates for camels milk processing or other dairy fermentation process.