*2.3. Growth Curve Analysis of Lab During Growth in Co-Culture*

Initially, *B. subtilis* and LAB cells were grown overnight in either LB or MRS as described above. Afterward, the cells were introduced into the MMRS medium, and the co-culture was incubated for 8 h at 37 ◦C at 150 rpm. Mono-species cultures of LAB and *B. subtilis* were used as control. Every 2 h, 1 mL of each sample was collected for quantification of bacteria by the colony forming unit (CFU) counting method on either MRS (for LAB) or LB (for *B. subtilis*) agar plates. The plates were incubated aerobically at 37 ◦C for either 48 h (in case of LAB) or 24 h (for *B. subtilis*).
