Investigation of lactobacillus species in breast milk by PCR method

In this study, it was aimed to investigate Lactobacillus species found in breast milk by PCR method. A total of 72 women between the ages of 18-45, who gave birth to a single, healthy full-term baby and whose lactation period was between 0-240 days were included in the study. Milk samples taken from mothers who had normal birth (n: 36) and cesarean (n: 36) were divided into three groups as colostrum (n: 12), transition (n: 12) and mature milk (n: 12). Lactobacillus species were investigated from milk samples by real time PCR. DNA isolation was performed using the Qiagen Stool Fast Kit (Qiagen, Hilden) and amplification with Primer Design Genesig (UK) brand species identification kits on the Rotor gene (Qiagen, Germany) device. While Lactobacillus was detected in 70 (97.2%) of the samples in the study, it was not detected in 2 (2.8%) of the samples taken from women with cesarean delivery. L. acidophilus and L. rhamnosus were detected simultaneously in all transitional milk coats of women who gave birth normally, and 84 Lactobacillus species were detected. The identified species were 33 (39.3%), 25 (29.8%) Lactobacillus spp. and 24 (28.6%) L. acidophilus. It was observed that the rate of detection of L. acidophilus in milk samples taken from women who gave birth was significantly higher than that found in milk samples taken from women who gave birth by cesarean section (p<0.05). Breast milk has an important function in the development of the baby's immune system and the formation of the intestinal flora. Lactobacillus species, one of the probiotic bacteria, have been found to be concentrated in breast milk.