Characterization of Pediococcus acidilactici FS2 isolated from Korean traditional fermented seafood and its blood cholesterol reduction effect in mice.

[Display omitted] • Pediococcus acidilactici FS2 was isolated from Korean traditional food. • The probiotic properties of Pediococcus acidilactici FS2 were investigated. • Dietary supplementation of FS2 downregulated the blood cholesterol levels. • Supplementation with FS2 increased the intestinal lactobacilli in BALB/c mice. In the present study, the probiotic properties of Pediococcus acidilactici FS2 isolated from Korean traditional food, gajami-sikhae (fermented flounder), and the effect of its oral administration on the reduction in blood cholesterol in mice were investigated. Analysis of probiotics properties, such as acid and bile resistance, antibiotic resistance, cell adhesion, antioxidant activity, antibacterial activity, and enzyme activity, demonstrated that FS2 is a potential probiotic candidate. FS2 showed a high growth rate when isomalto-oligosaccharides (IMO) were used as a prebiotic. Moreover, an oral administration of the combination of FS2 and IMO to the mice for 5 weeks increased the number of intestinal lactic acid bacteria and decreased the levels of serum total triglyceride, cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Therefore, the findings of the present study suggest that FS2 is functional and safe as a probiotic and can reduce blood cholesterol levels when taken along with IMO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]