**5. Conclusion**

*L. fermentum* 04BBA19 which is a soil isolate produced very high thermostable -amylase. This is the first study dealing with high thermostable amylase from a lactic acid bacterium. According to its properties, this enzyme is a good candidate for starch hydrolysis at high temperature. An economical process could be attained through the use of this enzyme at the liquefaction stage at high temperatures.

On the other hand the fact that thermostable amylase and lactic acid production can be combined in single fermentation step would not only provide a way to make gruels with high energy density, but also improve its safety, since lactic acid bacteria fermentation is an efficient way to inhibit food-borne pathogens.

Owing to the importance of this finding, further studies will focus on the development of an accurate method for preparing high energy density complementary food using local starchy sources and the *L. fermentum* 04BBA19 strain.
