Probiotic potential of lactic acid bacteria isolated from honeybees stomach: Functional and technological insights

Probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have garnered substantial attention for their potential health benefits, particularly in supporting the balance of gut microbiota. This study sought to assess LAB isolates from honeybees stomach as potential probiotics by evaluating their tolerance to acid and bile, autoaggregation, hydrophobicity, co-aggregation with pathogens, antioxidant activity, haemolysis, exopolysaccharide (EPS) production, in vitro cell adherence, and their performance in milk-based fermented products. The LAB isolates exhibited impressive resilience to gastric acid, surviving exposure to simulated gastric juice at pH 2 after 2 h of incubation. Autoaggregation and hydrophobicity, crucial for probiotic adhesion to intestinal epithelial cells, were observed in several LAB isolates. Notably, Ehb3, Ehb5, and Ehb8 displayed the highest values, indicating their potential for effective intestinal adhesion. The antioxidant activities of intracellular and cell-free lactic acid bacteria strain extracts were evaluated using DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) radical scavenging tests. Ehb3 and Ehb5 demonstrated outstanding antioxidant capabilities, suggesting their potential for enhancing the shelf life and health benefits of probiotic products. These lactic acid bacteria strains were also proficient in fermenting milk, maintaining viability above the technological requirements for probiotic products during storage. Finally, lactic acid bacteria isolate from honey bee stomach exhibit promising characteristics that make them suitable candidates for potential probiotics with health benefits.