Probiotic and Functional Characterization of Pediococcus acidilactici Isolated from Bhaati jaanr, Traditional Fermented Rice Porridge.

Traditional fermented foods are the ideal source of novel probiotic isolates which are known to have significant therapeutic benefits and play a vital role as bioprotective agents. Bhaati jaanr is an ethnic fermented rice beverage popularly consumed in sub-Himalayan regions. The strain UAMS was isolated from Bhaati jaanr based on high butyrate production and evaluated for the potential probiotic characteristics. MALDI-TOF MS and 16 s rRNA gene sequencing revealed the identity of strains as Pediococcus acidilactici. The isolated strain exhibited high tolerance to gastric and bile stress, autoaggregation, hydrophobicity, and adherence to colon cells. Antibiotic susceptibility testing results showed the resistance of the isolated strain toward tested common antibiotics and the pathogenic determinants were absent in PCR-based detection. Moreover, the organism was able to inhibit the growth of Listeria, Salmonella, Staphylococcus, and Enterococcus species. The isolate was found to be a high butyrate producer along with other short-chain fatty acids and exhibited an anti-proliferative effect against colon cancer cells HT29 and SW480. Therefore, our study represents Pediococcus acidilactici UAMS as a potent putative probiotic with bioprotective abilities.