Abstract

• Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) were isolated from fresh fruits samples of carambola, pomegranate, guava, papaya, lime, banana and pitahaya by using DeMan Rogos Sharpe (MRS) agar medium in the Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Mandalay during September 2017 to January 2018. The ten bacterial strains, PPTG 1-10, were observed and identified based on their colony morphology and biochemical tests. The most number of three LAB strains were observed in papaya with PPTG 4, 5 and 6, followed by two strains in pitayana with PPTG 9 and PPTG 10. The isolated LAB strains PPTG 1, PPTG 5 and PPTG 7 were confirmed as Lactobacillus spp.; PPTG 2 and PPTG 8 as Pediococcus spp.; and PPTG 3, PPTG 4, PPTG 6, PPTG 9 and PPTG 10 as Leuconostoc spp. According to the study on the abilities of antibiotic resistance, Lactobacillus sp. (PPTG 1) strain was resistent to ampacillin and amoxicillin; Leuconostoc sp. (PPTG 4) strain was resistent to ampacillin, amoxicillin, chloramphenicol and erythromycin; Lactobacillus sp. (PPTG 5) strain was resistent to tetracycline, ampacillin, amoxicillin, chloramphenicol and erythromycin; Leuconostoc sp. (PPTG 9) strain was resistent to tetracycline, ampacillin and amoxicillin; and Leuconostoc sp. (PPTG 10) strain was resistent to ampacillin and amoxicillin. The LABs possessing the antibiotic activities were tested for antimicrobial properties at Biotechnology Research Department, Kyaukse. Lactobacillus sp. (PPTG 1) isolated from carambola strain showed maximum zone of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus with 19 mm, a zone of inhibition against Escherichia coli with 12 mm, Bacillus cereus with 11 mm. The physiological test on five strains showed that they can grow between pH 4.5 and pH 7.2 and salt tolerance was up to 6% NaCl. Therefore, among the study fruits the carambola is the most suitable one to be eaten for the health of human beings. Because of the most LAB strains were observed in papaya, it was also suitable to be consumed in daily life.