In-vitro probiotic characteristics assessment of feruloyl esterase and glutamate decarboxylase producing Lactobacillus spp. isolated from traditional fermented millet porridge (kambu koozh)

•Kambu koozh is obtained by a natural lactic acid fermentation of pearl millet.•Feruloyl esterase producing Lactobacillus spp. was isolated from kamba koozh.•CFR5 (Lactobacillus fermentum) was found to be effective in terms of probiotic properties.•This work helps formulation of cereal based functional foods with enhanced properties.

Feruloyl esterase producing lactic acid bacteria was isolated from pearl millet porridge (kambu koozh) and characterized for its probiotic properties with respect to their biological barrier resistance. Among the five feruloyl esterase hyperproducers, CFR5 (Lactobacillus fermentum) was found to tolerate phenol and bile acids and survive in simulated gastro-intestinal passage conditions. Ability of the strain CFR5 to produce β-galactosidase and glutamate decarboxylase enzyme as well as invitro cholesterol reducing properties makes the strain suitable for its utilization in the formulation of functional foods.