In-vitro investigation into probiotic characterisation of Streptococcus and Enterococcus isolated from camel milk

- Isolated LABs are excellent candidates to produce functional foods.
- Isolates survived well under low pH 2.0 and heat at 60 °C.
- Isolates exhibited outstanding cholesterol removal and BSH activity.
- Isolates were non-haemolytic and sensitive to several antibiotics.

The objectives of this study were to isolate lactic acid bacteria (LAB), namely Streptococcus and Enterococcus, on M17 agar from raw camel milk and investigate their probiotic characteristics. Physiological properties, cell surface properties (hydrophobicity, autoaggregation, co-aggregation), acid and bile tolerance, bile salt hydrolysis, cholesterol removing ability, exopolysaccharide (EPS) production, hemolytic and antimicrobial activities, resistance toward lysozyme and six antibiotics, and fermentation profile (growth, pH, and proteolysis) were examined. rDNA sequencing was carried out to identify the isolates and to acquire Genbank accession numbers. LAB isolates showed cholesterol lowering and pathogens inhibition properties. Hydrophobicity and autoaggregation results revealed strong attachment capabilities of the isolated LAB. Resistance of LAB isolates to lysozyme activity and to 60 °C were also high. Identified LAB exhibited promising fermentation profile. This study reveals that the isolated LAB isolates especially E. faecium KX881783 and S. equinus KX881778 may be excellent candidates to produce functional foods to promote health benefits.