Phenotypic and Genomic Analysis of Pediococcus acidilactici MBEL10321 with Potential Probiotic Properties

This study systematically evaluated the probiotic properties of Pediococcus acidilactici MBEL10321, isolated from Nuruk, using both phenotypic and genomic analyses, to assess its functionality and safety. P. acidilactici MBEL10321 demonstrated sustained viability under acidic conditions and in the presence of bile salts. The strain also exhibited notable antimicrobial activity against several pathogenic bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Bacillus cereus, and Listeria monocytogenes. Its inhibitory effects exceeded those of the control strains Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG and P. acidilactici KCTC15064. P. acidilactici MBEL10321 did not exhibit hemolytic activity and present safety concerns. Whole-genome analysis revealed the P. acidilactici MBEL10321 genome to be 2,044,106 bp, with a G+C content of 42.2%, and to contain 1,980 protein-coding genes. These genomic features were comparable to those of previously reported P. acidilactici strains. In addition, no antibiotic-resistance genes, virulence factors, or transferable plasmid replicons were detected. These findings suggest that P. acidilactici MBEL10321 is a potential probiotic candidate strain derived from the traditional fermentation starter Nuruk.