Background In the present study, previously isolated, safe, and avirulent enterococci strains were exploited for their metabolic profile (Bhagwat et al., Asian J Pharm Clin Res 12: 2019). Results Thirteen enterococci strains of human origin produced important enzymes like amylase (0.5-0.7 mg ml(-1)), protease (192-264 mg ml(-1)), lipase (8-10 mg ml(-1)), bile salt hydrolase, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and lactic acid (highest 12 mg ml(-1)), thus implicating potential attributes of starter cultures in food and dairy industry. Biogenic amines like arginine and tryptamine were produced after 4 days above 25 degrees C. Castor oil (highest yield 60 mu g ml(-1)) and sunflower oil (highest yield 48 mu g ml(-1)) both proved to be excellent sources of CLA production. Reduction assays using FRAP, ABTS (above 83%), and DPPH (30-50%) revealed excellent radical scavenging properties of cell-free supernatants of Enterococcus strains. Conclusion The results implicate the future potential of application enterococci for therapeutic purpose as well as the food industry.