Evaluation of metabolic activities and probiotic characteristics of two Latilactobacillus sakei strains isolated from pastirma

The current study was carried out to investigate metabolic activities and main probiotic characteristics of two Latilactobacillus sakei strains (8.P1 and 28.P2) isolated from pastirma, a highly seasoned, air-dried cured beef. Both strains showed antimicrobial activity against important foodborne pathogens like Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and so forth. For the characterization of antimicrobial activity, the effect of various enzymes, temperature and pH were tested. The results of the tests demonstrated that the antimicrobial activity of strains was based on the production of protein-structured compounds such as bacteriocin or bacteriocin like peptides. In metabolic activity studies, amounts of the lactic acid, proteolytic activity and hydrogen peroxide produced by the 8.P1 and 28.P2 were found to range between 16.09 and 17.32 mg/mL, 0.24 and 0.04 mg/mL and 0.98 and 0.04 mu g/mL, respectively. It was also observed that neither strain could produce exopolysaccharide. Both strains were found susceptible to vancomycin, chloramphenicol, gentamicin, tetracycline, and netilmicin sulfate. When the strains are evaluated with respect to their probiotic potential, 28.P2 could tolerate acidic conditions, but 8.P1 showed sensitivity. The survival rate of the strains in the simulated gastric juice and their adhesion abilities were found suitable to stay alive in the gastrointestinal tract and to proliferate in the intestine. The evaluation of all the features of both strains demonstrated that both strains had the potential to be used as a protective culture. In addition, it was observed that 8.P1 and 28.P2 were more suitable as a starter culture and a probiotic candidate respectively.