Comprehensive in silico analysis of lactic acid bacteria for the selection of desirable probiotics

In this study, the probiotic properties of nine lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were evaluated by using an in silico analysis comprising principal component, heat map, and network analyses. Acid and bile resistances, bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity, antimicrobial activity, auto- and co-aggregation, and hydrophobicity were analyzed in the strains. All tested LAB exhibited > 60% of survival percentage in acid and bile resistances. Five strains of LAB exhibited positive BSH activities and all LAB demonstrated antimicrobial activities against at least one pathogen except L. acidophilus IDCC3302. Following a time-dependent manner, L. acidophilus IDCC3302 and L. plantarum LP-K1791 exhibited the greatest auto- and co-aggregation percentages, respectively. The hydrophobicity of all LAB was satisfied with the minimum requirement of hydrophobicity (40%) as potential probiotics. Based on the in silico analysis, L. casei IDCC3451, L. plantarum LP-K1791, and L. rhamnosus IDCC3201 were selected as the most promising probiotics. This in silico analysis will be useful for the precise selection of probiotics for the development of functional foods and healthy dietary supplements in the food and pharmaceutical industries.