Changes in resistome profile of potential probiotic Lactiplantibacillus pentosus in response to edible oil adaptation

Despite increasing interest to investigate horizontal gene transfer as a leading cause of antibiotic resistance spread, the resistome is not only influenced by the influx and efflux of genes in different environments. Rather, the expression of existing genes under different stress conditions requires special attention. This study determined whether pre-adapting Lactiplantibacillus pentosus strains, isolated from Aloreña green table olives, to vegetable-based edible oils influence their phenotypic and genotypic responses to antibiotics. This has significant diet, food matrix, gut health, and food safety concerns. Pre-adapting L. pentosus strains to oils significantly changed their susceptibility profile to antibiotics. However, results generally differed among the three strains; although changes in the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of antibiotics occurred, it depended on the L. pentosus strain and the oil used for adaptation. The pre-adaptation of L. pentosus strains with olive, sunflower, argan and linseed oils induced gene expressions (e.g., rpsL, recA and uvrB) in several stress responses. Thus, to analyze this fact in-depth, transcriptional changes were reported in the selected potential probiotic L. pentosus CF2-10 adapted with olive or sunflower, rerouting its metabolic pathways to export toxic molecules through efflux pumps and ABC transporters. Pre-adaptation of some lactobacilli with olive or sunflower oils may represent a novel approach for manufacturing probiotic products with improved stability, functionality and robustness.