Genomic Insights into ENM104: A Probiotic with Potential Antimicrobial and Cholesterol-Reducing Properties.

, which often occurs in fermented foods, is characterized by numerous positive effects on the human health, such as the presence of possible probiotic abilities, the reduction of cholesterol levels, satisfactory antimicrobial activity, and certain therapeutic functions. This study was conducted with the goal of describing the genomic content of ENM104, a strain known for its inhibitory effects against pathogenic bacteria and its remarkable probiotic potential, including the induction of significant reductions in cholesterol levels and the production of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). The ENM104 chromosome is circular. The chromosome is 1,734,928 bp with a GC content of 37.2%. also harbors a circular plasmid, pENM104, that is 71,811 bp with a GC content of 38.1%. Functional annotations identified numerous genes associated with probiotic traits, including those involved in stress adaptation (e.g., heat stress: , , and ), bile tolerance (e.g., ), vitamin biosynthesis (e.g., , , , and ), immunomodulation (e.g., , , and ), and bacteriocin production (e.g., ). Notably, genes responsible for lowering cholesterol levels (bile salt hydrolase, ) and GABA synthesis (glutamate/GABA antiporter, ) were also identified. The in vitro assay results using cell-free supernatants of ENM104 revealed antibacterial activity against carbapenem-resistant bacteria, such as , , and , and the inhibition zone diameter increased progressively over time. This comprehensive study provides valuable insights into the molecular characteristics of ENM104, emphasizing its potential as a probiotic. Its notable cholesterol-lowering, GABA-producing, and antimicrobial capabilities suggest promising applications in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Future research should focus on further exploring these functional properties and assessing the strain's efficacy in clinical settings.