LACTOBACILLUS PLANTARUM MCC2034, A NOVEL ISOLATE FROM TRADITIONAL INDIAN LACTIC FERMENTED PREPARATION: MOLECULAR IDENTIFICATION AND EVALUATION OF ITS IN VITRO PROBIOTIC POTENTIAL

In the present study, the in vitro probiotic properties and molecular characterization (16S rRNA gene sequencing) of L. plantarum MCC2034, a lactic acid bacterium (LAB) isolated from Takrarista, traditionally used for the treatment of various gastro-intestinal maladies are presented. The isolate under study has been proved to be a potent producer of exopolysaccharide (EPS). The molecular identification of the strain was carried out using 16S rRNA gene sequencing method. The ability of the strain to survive the transit through the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) was carried out using in vitro gastric system. Additionally, the in vitro adhesion property (viz. bacterial adhesion to hydrocarbon assay and autoaggregation) and bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity of L. plantarum MCC2034 were carried out. Antibiotic resistance profile was determined using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) test against tetracycline, ampicillin, streptomycin, etc. The results of the in vitro probiotic characterization indicated that L. plantarum MCC2034 is capable of surviving the adverse conditions encountered during its passage through the GIT besides showing promise with respect to BSH and the antibiotic resistance profile also indicated that the strain is within the recommended limits. In conclusion, it can be stated that L. plantarum MCC2034, a Takrarista isolate capable of producing EPS, exhibited effective in vitro probiotic potential.