Unveiling the probiotic potential of L. rhamnosus strain 044AE by genomic and phenotypic characterization

Probiotics are living microorganisms that improve overall human health by modulating the gut microbiota and enhancing absorption of nutrients and host immunity. Due to the growing demand for probiotics, efforts are being made to search for and characterize new probiotics. Whole genome sequencing has played a significant role in the identification and characterization of many probiotic candidates. In the present study, hybrid assembly (Illumina and Nanopore-based), genomic analyses, and phenotypic evaluations of Lactobacillus rhamnosus 044AE isolated from a dairy sample were carried out to investigate its probiotic potential. The assembled genome of L. rhamnosus 044AE showed maximum homology with L. rhamnosus BIO5326. Downstream analysis of the genome revealed safety, stability, and gut survival features. In the phenotypic assays, L. rhamnosus 044AE exhibited favorable adhesion, aggregation, gut stability (88.96% viability under fasting conditions; 92%–96% viability under fed conditions), antimicrobial, antioxidant, and enzyme activities. Therefore, L. rhamnosus 044AE appears as a potential probiotic candidate for applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical industries.