Probiotics are live microbial food ingredients that have beneficial effects on consumption. The present study searched fermented food samples for potential lactobacilli that could be used for the development of novel gastrointestinal probiotics. 55 isolates were obtained including 46 bacterial and 9 yeast isolates. On the basis of morphological and biochemical properties 21 were identified as Lactobacillus spp. Systematic procedures were used to evaluate the probiotic properties of the Lactobacillus isolates including carbohydrate fermentation, autoaggregation, acid tolerance, bile resistance and pancreatin tolerance test. 85% of examined Lactobacillus spp. showed the ability to form auto-aggregate, 75% can withstand bile while all the strains were able to tolerate pancreatin.