Multifunctional potentials of lactic acid bacterial isolates from Turkish traditional fermented foods.

This study aimed to isolate LAB strains with antimicrobial activity that can be used as bio-protective agents, from yogurt, pickle, and cheese samples, which are Turkish traditional fermented foods, and to reveal the potential probiotic properties of these isolates with antimicrobial activity. In addition, it was aimed for the first time to examine the potential and uniqueness of these domestic and local traditional fermented foods. In the study, a total of 682 LAB isolates from Turkish traditional fermented samples were isolated. Thirteen isolates with both high and antifungal activities were selected; four Lactiplantibacillus pentosus strains, six Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strains, and one each Enterococcus lactis, Enterococcus durans, and Enterococcus faecalis strains. Ten isolates of them were suggested as potential probiotics (excluding 1Y2-1, 1Y7-3, and 3Y12-4). It was thought that the L. pentosus 2Y7-1, which was slow to produce acid, could be used as a co-culture in fermented products with a long ripening stage, supported by enriching the product of its milk coagulation, β-galactosidase, proteolytic, and cholesterol assimilation abilities in terms of bioactive peptide and prebiotics. Another strain, E. faecalis 3Y4-3, which was high proteolytic activity, was suggested as a co-culture in fermented products to improve both organoleptic properties and increase bioactive peptides. On the other hand, among non-probiotics, L. plantarum 3Y12-4 can be used as a starter culture in fermented milk products in order to evaluate its milk coagulation, cholesterol assimilation, and proteolytic abilities. As a result, these three strains can be used in many areas, such as fermented and/or functional food production and enzyme production. In addition, this has been the first study to examine the potential and uniqueness of Turkish domestic and local traditional fermented foods in Samsun, Turkey, together, in terms of both antimicrobial and probiotic LAB isolate (multifunctional) potential and diversity.