DEGRADATION OF UNDESIRABLE CHOLESTEROL BY LACTOBACILLUS SP.

Cholesterol is a heterogeneous compound in its chemical composition. It is very important both on a medical and nutritional health level. Low-density lipoprotein (L.D.L) poses some danger to human life and deserves more research on it to clarify the idea of its specific or safe behavior in human life. 68 of 162 isolates were lead to the degrade of cholesterol present in the cholesterol-agar medium of microbial Basel medium.The samples were collected from 17 sources, the most promising one was from local Rayeb followed by yoghurt and cow ghee. Lactobacillus sp. was one of the most effective in degrading cholesterol. The optimal environmental conditions for cholesterol degradation were generally found at pH 7, temperature 37, cholesterol concentration 1.5 g/L and incubation period 48 hours.