Postbiotic Potential of Newly Isolated Riboflavin-Overproducing Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Strains

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Nutritional Science
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) produce health-beneficial compounds, including riboflavin (vitamin B2).
• Specific LAB strains can be selected for enhanced riboflavin production and probiotic properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To select and characterize Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strains with high riboflavin production.
• To evaluate the probiotic and postbiotic potential of selected strains for gut health.

Main Methods:

• Selection of riboflavin-overproducing Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strains using roseoflavin.
• In vitro assessment of probiotic features: antibacterial activity, organic acid production, antibiotic resistance, and gut transit survival.
• Evaluation of postbiotic effects on Caco-2 cell monolayers (intestinal barrier model) and Caco-2/THP-1 co-cultures (inflamed gut model).

Main Results:

• L. plantarum Lp 187_B2 was identified as the best strain, producing 6 mg/L of riboflavin.
• Lp 187_B2 demonstrated good gastro-intestinal stress resistance and antibacterial activity.
• Postbiotic Lp 187_B2 significantly increased intestinal barrier integrity (TEER) and reduced TNF-α release in an inflamed gut model.

Conclusions:

• L. plantarum Lp 187_B2 is a promising candidate for riboflavin overproduction.
• Its postbiotic activity suggests potential for strengthening the gut barrier and anti-inflammatory effects.
• Further in vivo validation is needed, but Lp 187_B2 shows potential for probiotic and postbiotic applications in human health.