This study aimed to evaluate the vaginal probiotic properties of certain lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains isolated from fermented foods. Initially, 9 strains with a survival rate exceeding 1% under acidic conditions (pH 4.5) were selected from 43 LAB strains. The antimicrobial activity against Gardnerella vaginalis of these strains was further evaluated, along with their cell surface hydrophobicity, auto-aggregation ability, co-aggregation with G. vaginalis, and biofilm formation capacity. Subsequently, 3 strains, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum X7021, X7022, and 17-17, were identified as promising vaginal probiotic candidates through principal component analysis (PCA) and clustered heat map analysis. Analysis of antimicrobial compounds revealed that these strains produced lactic acid, acetic acid, and hydrogen peroxide. PCR and RT-PCR experiments confirmed the presence of bacteriocin genes and their partial transcription. This study highlights that LAB strains derived from foods represent a promising resource for the development of vaginal probiotics.
| [1] |
Ahire, J. J., C. Jakkamsetty, M. S. Kashikar, S. G. Lakshmi, and R. S. Madempudi. 2021. “In Vitro Evaluation of Probiotic Properties of Lactobacillus plantarum UBLP40 Isolated From Traditional Indigenous Fermented Food.” Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins 13: 1413–1424. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12602-021-09775-7.
|
| [2] |
Anahtar, M. N., D. B. Gootenberg, C. M. Mitchell, and D. S. Kwon. 2018. “Cervicovaginal Microbiota and Reproductive Health: The Virtue of Simplicity.” Cell Host & Microbe 23: 159–168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chom.2018.01.013.
|
| [3] |
Castro, J., K. K. Jefferson, and N. Cerca. 2020. “Genetic Heterogeneity and Taxonomic Diversity Among Gardnerella Species.” Trends in Microbiology 28: 202–211. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tim.2019.10.002.
|
| [4] |
Darmastuti, A., P. N. Hasan, R. Wikandari, T. Utami, E. S. Rahayu, and D. A. Suroto. 2021. “Adhesion Properties of Lactobacillus plantarum Dad-13 and Lactobacillus plantarum Mut-7 on Sprague Dawley Rat Intestine.” Microorganisms 9: 2336. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9112336.
|
| [5] |
Diez-Gutiérrez, L., L. San Vicente, J. Sáenz, L. J. R. Barron, and M. Chávarri. 2022. “Characterisation of the Probiotic Potential of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum K16 and Its Ability to Produce the Postbiotic Metabolite γ-Aminobutyric Acid.” Journal of Functional Foods 97: 105230. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2022.105230.
|
| [6] |
Dover, S. E., A. A. Aroutcheva, S. Faro, and M. L. Chikindas. 2008. “Natural Antimicrobials and Their Role in Vaginal Health: A Short Review.” International Journal of Probiotics & Prebiotics 3: 219–230.
|
| [7] |
Feuillolay, C., S. Salvatico, J. Escola, B. Quioc-Salomon, F. Carrois, and C. Roques. 2025. “In Vitro Bactericidal Activity of a Neomycin-Polymyxin B-Nystatin Combination Compared to Metronidazole and Clindamycin Against the Main Bacteria Involved in Bacterial Vaginosis and Aerobic Vaginitis.” Pharmaceuticals 18: 340. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18030340.
|
| [8] |
Fidanza, M., P. Panigrahi, and T. R. Kollmann. 2021. “Lactiplantibacillus plantarum-Nomad and Ideal Probiotic.” Frontiers in Microbiology 12: 712236. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.712236.
|
| [9] |
Filannino, P., M. De Angelis, R. Di Cagno, G. Gozzi, Y. Riciputi, and M. Gobbetti. 2018. “How Lactobacillus plantarum Shapes Its Transcriptome in Response to Contrasting Habitats.” Environmental Microbiology 20: 3700–3716. https://doi.org/10.1111/1462-2920.14372.
|
| [10] |
Hadef, S., T. Idoui, M. Sifour, M. Genay, and A. Dary-Mourot. 2023. “Screening of Wild Lactic Acid Bacteria From Algerian Traditional Cheeses and Goat Butter to Develop a New Probiotic Starter Culture.” Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins 15: 387–399. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12602-022-10000-2.
|
| [11] |
Happel, A. U., B. Kullin, H. Gamieldien, et al. 2020. “Exploring Potential of Vaginal Lactobacillus Isolates From South African Women for Enhancing Treatment for Bacterial Vaginosis.” PLoS Pathogens 16: e1008559. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1008559.
|
| [12] |
Hernández-Alcántara, A. M., C. Wacher, M. G. Llamas, P. López, and M. L. Pérez-Chabela. 2018. “Probiotic Properties and Stress Response of Thermotolerant Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated From Cooked Meat Products.” LWT 91: 249–257. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2017.12.063.
|
| [13] |
Huang, Y., J. Shi, S. Luo, et al. 2023. “Antimicrobial Substances and Mechanisms of Lactobacillus Rhamnosus Against Gardnerella Vaginalis.” Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins 15: 400–410. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12602-022-10019-5.
|
| [14] |
Ibrahim, S. A., R. D. Ayivi, T. Zimmerman, et al. 2021. “Lactic Acid Bacteria as Antimicrobial Agents: Food Safety and Microbial Food Spoilage Prevention.” Foods 10: 3131. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10123131.
|
| [15] |
Imade, E. E., S. E. Omonigho, O. O. Babalola, and B. J. Enagbonma. 2021. “Lactic Acid Bacterial Bacteriocins and Their Bioactive Properties Against Food-Associated Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria.” Annals of Microbiology 71: 44. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13213-021-01652-6.
|
| [16] |
Kaur, S., P. Sharma, N. Kalia, J. Singh, and S. Kaur. 2018. “Anti-Biofilm Properties of the Fecal Probiotic Lactobacilli Against Vibrio spp.” Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology 8: 120. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2018.00120.
|
| [17] |
Li, H., L. Guo, X. Zhang, et al. 2022. “Whole-Genome Sequencing Combined With Mass Spectrometry to Identify Bacteriocin and Mine Silent Genes.” LWT 169: 113975. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2022.113975.
|
| [18] |
Liu, E. H., W. Z. Liao, H. K. Chen, et al. 2024. “Association Between Serum Vitamin E and Bacterial Vaginitis in Women: A Cross-Sectional Study.” BMC Women's Health 24: 316. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-024-03065-4.
|
| [19] |
Liu, G., Y. Liu, K. S. Ro, et al. 2022. “Genomic Characteristics of a Novel Strain Lactiplantibacillus plantarum X7021 Isolated From the Brine of Stinky Tofu for the Application in Food Fermentation.” LWT 156: 113054. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2021.113054.
|
| [20] |
Mane, A., I. Khan, and M. Thakar. 2020. “Characterisation of Colonisation Properties of Vaginal Lactobacilli From Healthy Indian Women: Implications for Identification of Potential Probiotic Candidates.” Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology 38: 440–443. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijmm.IJMM_20_108.
|
| [21] |
Mathipa, M. G., and M. S. Thantsha. 2017. “Probiotic Engineering: Towards Development of Robust Probiotic Strains With Enhanced Functional Properties and for Targeted Control of Enteric Pathogens.” Gut Pathogens 9: 28. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13099-017-0178-9.
|
| [22] |
Mousaei, S., Z. Esmaeili, L. Mohtashami, et al. 2025. “The Effect of Rheum turkestanicum Janisch in the Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis Recurrence: A Triple-Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial.” Journal of Pharmaceutical Innovation 20: 37. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12247-025-09945-y.
|
| [23] |
Nguyen, A. T., N. T. Nguyen, T. T. Tran, et al. 2024. “Prevalence and Associated Factors of Bacterial Vaginosis Among Pregnant Women in Hue, Vietnam.” The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries 18: 925–931. https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.18949.
|
| [24] |
Ouarabi, L., Y. A. Chait, H. A. Seddik, D. Drider, and F. Bendali. 2019. “Newly Isolated Lactobacilli Strains From Algerian Human Vaginal Microbiota: Lactobacillus fermentum Strains Relevant Probiotic's Candidates.” Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins 11: 43–54. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12602-017-9360-0.
|
| [25] |
Pagar, R., S. Deshkar, J. Mahore, et al. 2024. “The Microbial Revolution: Unveiling the Benefits of Vaginal Probiotics and Prebiotics.” Microbiological Research 286: 127787. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micres.2024.127787.
|
| [26] |
Pammi, N., K. K. Bhukya, R. K. Lunavath, and B. Bhukya. 2021. “Bioprospecting of Palmyra Palm (Borassus flabellifer) Nectar: Unveiling the Probiotic and Therapeutic Potential of the Traditional Rural Drink.” Frontiers in Microbiology 12: 683996. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.683996.
|
| [27] |
Peng, Q., J. Yang, Q. Wang, H. Suo, A. M. Hamdy, and J. Song. 2023. “Antifungal Effect of Metabolites From a New Strain Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LPP703 Isolated From Naturally Fermented Yak Yogurt.” Foods 12: 181. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12010181.
|
| [28] |
Pessoa, W. F. B., A. C. C. Melgaço, M. E. de Almeida, L. P. Ramos, R. P. Rezende, and C. C. Romano. 2017. “In Vitro Activity of Lactobacilli With Probiotic Potential Isolated From Cocoa Fermentation Against Gardnerella vaginalis.” BioMed Research International 2017: 3264194. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/3264194.
|
| [29] |
Qian, Z., D. Zhao, Y. Yin, H. Zhu, and D. Chen. 2020. “Antibacterial Activity of Lactobacillus Strains Isolated From Mongolian Yogurt Against Gardnerella vaginalis.” BioMed Research International 2020: 3548618. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/3548618.
|
| [30] |
Qian, Z., H. Zhu, D. Zhao, et al. 2021. “Probiotic Lactobacillus sp. Strains Inhibit Growth, Adhesion, Biofilm Formation, and Gene Expression of Bacterial Vaginosis-Inducing Gardnerella vaginalis.” Microorganisms 9: 728. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9040728.
|
| [31] |
Reid, G. 2017. “The Development of Probiotics for Women's Health.” Canadian Journal of Microbiology 63: 269–277. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjm-2016-0733.
|
| [32] |
Reiter, S., and S. Kellogg Spadt. 2019. “Bacterial Vaginosis: A Primer for Clinicians.” Postgraduate Medicine 131: 8–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/00325481.2019.1546534.
|
| [33] |
Rodríguez-Nava, C., K. Cortés-Sarabia, M. D. Avila-Huerta, et al. 2021. “Nanophotonic Sialidase Immunoassay for Bacterial Vaginosis Diagnosis.” ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science 4: 365–371. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsptsci.0c00211.
|
| [34] |
Selis, N. D., H. B. M. de Oliveira, Y. B. dos Anjos, et al. 2021a. “Gardnerella vaginalis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae Are Effectively Inhibited by Lactobacilli With Probiotic Properties Isolated From Brazilian Cupuacu (Theobroma grandiflorum) Fruit.” BioMed Research International 2021: 6626249. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/6626249.
|
| [35] |
Selis, N. D., H. B. M. de Oliveira, H. F. Leao, et al. 2021b. “Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Strains Isolated From Spontaneously Fermented Cocoa Exhibit Potential Probiotic Properties Against Gardnerella vaginalis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae.” BMC Microbiology 21: 198. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12866-021-02264-5.
|
| [36] |
Singh, T. P., G. Kaur, S. Kapila, and R. K. Malik. 2017. “Antagonistic Activity of Lactobacillus reuteri Strains on the Adhesion Characteristics of Selected Pathogens.” Frontiers in Microbiology 8: 486. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2017.00486.
|
| [37] |
Sobral, M. V. S., V. G. Soares, J. L. M. L. Moreira, et al. 2025. “Tinidazole vs Metronidazole for the Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics 311: 333–340. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-024-07899-z.
|
| [38] |
Tarracchini, C., G. A. Lugli, L. Mancabelli, C. Milani, F. Turroni, and M. Ventura. 2020. “Assessing the Genomic Variability of Gardnerella vaginalis Through Comparative Genomic Analyses: Evolutionary and Ecological Implications.” Applied and Environmental Microbiology 87: e02188-20. https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.02188-20.
|
| [39] |
Terraf, M. C. L., M. S. Juárez Tomás, M. E. F. Nader-Macías, and C. Silva. 2012. “Screening of Biofilm Formation by Beneficial Vaginal Lactobacilli and Influence of Culture Media Components.” Journal of Applied Microbiology 113: 1517–1529. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2672.2012.05429.x.
|
| [40] |
Tomás, M., A. Palmeira-de-Oliveira, S. Simões, J. Martinez-de-Oliveira, and R. Palmeira-de-Oliveira. 2020. “Bacterial Vaginosis: Standard Treatments and Alternative Strategies.” International Journal of Pharmaceutics 587: 119659. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2020.119659.
|
| [41] |
Valeriano, V. D., M. M. Parungao-Balolong, and D. K. Kang. 2014. “In Vitro Evaluation of the Mucin-Adhesion Ability and Probiotic Potential of Lactobacillus mucosae LM1.” Journal of Applied Microbiology 117: 485–497. https://doi.org/10.1111/jam.12539.
|
| [42] |
Vidhyasagar, V., and K. Jeevaratnam. 2013. “Evaluation of Pediococcus pentosaceus Strains Isolated From Idly Batter for Probiotic Properties In Vitro.” Journal of Functional Foods 5: 235–243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2012.10.012.
|
| [43] |
Zhang, C., S. Zhang, W. Liu, et al. 2019. “Potential Application and Bactericidal Mechanism of Lactic Acid-Hydrogen Peroxide Consortium.” Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology 189: 822–833. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-019-03031-z.
|
| [44] |
Zhang, J. Y., K. L. Li, T. S. Cao, et al. 2024. “Characterization of a Lactobacillus gasseri Strain as a Probiotic for Female Vaginitis.” Scientific Reports 14: 14426. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-65550-y.
|
| [45] |
Zhao, Y., Z. Li, L. Zhao, et al. 2022. “Two Novel Lactic Acid Bacteria, Limosilactobacillus fermentum MN-LF23 and Lactobacillus gasseri MN-LG80, inhibited Helicobacter pylori Infection in C57BL/6 Mice.” Food & Function 13: 11061–11069. https://doi.org/10.1039/d2fo02034c.
|
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
2025 The Author(s). Food Bioengineering published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology.
PDF
