Signature probiotic and pharmacological attributes of lactic acid bacteria isolated from human breast milk

Maternal milk is an opulent source of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). In this study we isolated LAB possessing high probiotic and pharmaceutical potential from native Pakistani women. In total, 20 LAB strains were isolated from 69 breast milk samples, out of which 10 strains with pronounced probiotic characteristics (>90% survival in an oro-gastro-intestinal environment and exopolysaccharide secretion) were identified as Limosilactobacillus brevis, Limosilactobacillus fermentum, Weissella confusa, and Enterococcus faecalis. The strains demonstrated remarkable lactic acid (∼25 mg mL−1) production, pageant aggregation (>45%) and hydrophobicity (>50%). Moreover, they displayed distinct cation, anion, and stable free radical scavenging (>55%). Strains HM-G and HM-K revealed immunoregulatory properties by inhibiting leukocyte recruitment and IL-6 production in thioglycolate induced peritonitis model. The promising pharmaceutical properties of cell free supernatant indicate the presence of active metabolites that could be further purified for biotherapeutics or functional food production.