RESUMO
Seventy-fi ve strains isolated from fecal samples of six children werestudied for their morphology and biochemical properties. Geneticdiversity of 30 strains was analyzed by using Random Amplifi ed Polymorphic DNA (RAPD). The intestinal isolates were grouped into four clusters. Some strains in group I were 100% similar (Lactobacillus reuteri) while high degree of genetic diversity was found in groups II (standard species), III and IV. Eight strains of group I and group III wereidentifi ed through biochemical identifi cation, as Lactobacillus reuteri,Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus salivarius, and showed low genetic similarity with type strains. The fi ndings in this study provide a strong basis for exploring the potential of these eight selected lactobacilli strains foruse in fermented-milk based product.