Directed evolution of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum for utilizing ethanol to produce postbiotics

Alcohol is a recognized carcinogen worldwide. In this study, we aimed to utilize probiotics to metabolize ethanol and produce postbiotics. Initially, we identified a lactic acid bacteria community in kimchi with excellent probiotic activity. By employing our previously developed directed evolution techniques, a Lactiplantibacillus plantarum mutant with safe characteristics and an ethanol utilization capacity of 40 g/L and 0.15 g/L/OD was obtained. Genome sequencing and RT-qPCR analysis revealed the up-regulated expression of alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase genes greatly contributed to ethanol utilization. Furthermore, the mutant strain demonstrated marked superiority in producing postbiotics, including antimicrobial peptides and beneficial organic acids such as lactic acid, phenyllactic acid, succinic acid, and indole-3-lactic acid. In the ethanol-fed fermentation process, the mutant strain achieved a lactic acid yield of 8.47 g/L and a carbon conversion rate of 21.8%. In vivo testing further validated its safety and ability to assist alcohol metabolism.