Identification of a Novel Potential Probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum FB003 Isolated from Salted-Fermented Shrimp and its Effect on Cholesterol Absorption by Regulation of NPC1L1 and PPARα

Cholesterol-lowering activity is an important health benefit of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). This study aimed to screen LAB strains with cholesterol-lowering activities from salted fermented shrimp and evaluate probiotic characteristics and cholesterol-lowering potentials of these LAB isolates. Among 191 lactic acid strains isolated from traditional salted-fermented shrimp food, FB003 isolate showed the highest cholesterol-lowering activity and investigated as probiotics with cholesterol-lowering ability. Biochemical analysis and 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that this LAB isolate was Lactobacillus plantarum FB003. To screen probiotic trait, L. plantarum FB003 was found to be susceptible to six antibiotics tested and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. It also produced various enzymes such as galactosidase, glucosidase, and mannosidase. In addition, this strain showed autoaggregation, and coaggregation capacity for various pathogens. Moreover, it could adhere to Caco-2 cells and be exerted lowering cholesterol effects in Caco-2 cells via an upregulation of PPAR alpha to inhibit NPC1L1 mRNA expression. Strain L. plantarum FB003 might be effective as a candidate probiotic with high cholesterol-lowering activity. The results of the present study suggest that L. plantarum FB003 have an impact on preventing high cholesterol level and may be used as starter culture for shrimp fermentation.