Probiotic properties of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum KS2020 with GABA producing ability

The probiotic properties and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-producing ability of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum KS2020, isolated from dongchimi, were evaluated. Lb. plantarum KS2020 exhibited no resistance to antibiotics such as ampicillin, erythromycin, clindamycin, tetracycline, or chloramphenicol. It was also negative for hemolytic activity, cytotoxicity, and bile salt hydrolase activity, while producing negligible amounts of D-lactate, confirming its safety as a probiotic strain. The strain demonstrated strong tolerance to acid, gastric juice, and bile salts, thereby meeting the criteria for probiotics. In terms of GABA production, lactose was found to be the most effective sugar indicating 1.63% GABA production. However, GABA conversion did not occur in the absence of sugar or xylitol the strain could not utilize, highlighting the importance of carbon sources for GABA production. Therefore, Lb. plantarum KS2020 is confirmed as a safe probiotic with GABA-producing potential, suggesting its potential for developing novel probiotic-based functional foods.