At a glance
Essentials
- Habitat
- It has been described in the human gastrointestinal tract and oral cavity, as well as in fermented foods. One study also examined two vaginal isolates, which does not warrant considering the species as a whole to be usual in that environment.
Observation guide
What to look for
- 01
It is a gram-positive bacillus: a rod-shaped bacterium.
- 02
Carbohydrate fermentation results mainly in lactic acid.
Lighting, age and viewing angle can hide features. If identification affects consumption, handling or conservation, consult specialist sources.
Ecology
Description and characteristics
Lactobacillus acidophilus is an elongated, gram-positive bacterium associated with the human gastrointestinal tract and oral cavity, and it has also been detected in some fermented foods. Its fermentative metabolism produces lactic acid. Genomic studies describe genes related to tolerance of environmental conditions, adhesion, and microbial competition, although the presence of these potential traits does not by itself demonstrate a probiotic function in every strain. Differences in some phenotypic characteristics were observed in two studied vaginal isolates, A2 and A3; therefore, results obtained with specific strains should not automatically be attributed to the species as a whole.