Comprehensive physiological and genomic characterization of a potential probiotic strain, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ILSF15, isolated from the gut of tribes of Odisha, India.

Characterizing probiotic features of organisms isolated from diverse environments can lead to the discovery of novel strains with promising functional features and health attributes. The present study attempts to characterize a novel probiotic strain isolated from the gut of the tribal population of Odisha, India. Based on 16S rRNA-based phylogeny, the strain was identified as a species of the Lactiplantibacillus genus and was named Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strain ILSF15. The current investigation focuses on elucidating this strain's genetic and physiological properties associated with probiotic attributes such as biosafety risk, host adaptation/survival traits, and beneficial functional features. The novel strain was observed, in vitro, exhibiting features such as acid/bile tolerance, adhesion to the host enteric epithelial cells, cholesterol assimilation, and pathogen exclusion, indicating its ability to survive the harsh environment of the human GIT and resist the growth of harmful microorganisms. Additionally, the L. plantarum ILSF15 strain was found to harbor genes associated with the metabolism and synthesis of various bioactive molecules, including amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids, and vitamins, highlighting the organism's ability to efficiently utilize diverse resources and contribute to the host's nutrition and health. Several genes involved in host adaptation/survival strategies and host-microbe interactions were also identified from the ILSF15 genome. Moreover, L. plantarum strains, in general, were found to have an open pangenome characterized by high genetic diversity and the absence of specific lineages associated with particular habitats, signifying its versatile nature and potential applications in probiotic and functional food industries.