Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Pediococcus acidilactici strains isolated from cattle gut show probiotic potential

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB), particularly Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Pediococcus acidilactici , are well-characterized probiotics, known for their beneficial role in promoting gut health in animals. In this study, 48 presumptive LAB were obtained from the cattle gastrointestinal tract (feces and saliva). Among these, two strains (CS-23 and BC-14) exhibited significant probiotic properties, including acid tolerance (67.67–96.33%), bile salt tolerance (49.33–83.60%) auto-aggregation (74.24–76.21%), co-aggregation (10.35–23.93%), cell surface hydrophobicity (56.10–69.35%), antioxidant (DPPH scavenging: 27.15 and 34.66%), and antimicrobial activity (inhibition zone: 8.3–14.0 mm). Both strains were susceptible to key antibiotic classes (macrolides and beta-lactams) and exhibited neither gelatinase nor hemolytic activities, indicating their safety for use. Based on 16 S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the strains were identified as Lactiplantibacillus plantarum CS-23 and Pediococcus acidilactici BC-14, exhibiting close phylogenetic relatedness to indigenous probiotic strains of animal origin. The indigenous strains Lactiplantibacillus plantarum CS-23 and Pediococcus acidilactici BC-14 exhibit promising probiotic potential and could be used as effective candidates for improving livestock health.