In this paper, the autoaggregating, coaggregating, hydrophobicity, and adhering abilities of 22 Lactobacillus strains belonging to different species were assessed. No correlation existed between autoaggregation and adhesion of the strains belonging to different species, whereas a positive correlation existed between autoaggregation and adhesion of the strains belonging to the same species. After treating with guanidine HCl, the autoaggregating and adhering abilities of some Lactobacillus strains decreased, indicating that surface-bound proteins and other macromolecules played a role in the adhering and autoaggregating abilities. The strains Lactobacillus plantarum 20 and 66 had higher adhesion and coaggregation abilities and should be further studied for their probable probiotic properties. Aggregating, coaggregating, and adhering abilities of Lactobacillus strains could be used as the preliminary criteria for selecting strains having probiotic potential.
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