Whole-genome sequencing and bacteriocin purification of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HY41 confirms bactericidal and probiotic potential

Abstract

In this study, the genomic tools were used to characterize the probiotic and bactericidal potential of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HY41. Firstly, the strain was found to carry two insertion sequences and prophage regions, and there was no CRISPR/Cas system by whole-genome sequencing. At the same time, functional genes related to probiotics such as encoding exopolysaccharides synthesize proteins, stress tolerance, flavor protease, and terpenoids were found in HY41. The putative bacteriocin biosynthetic cluster was identified using BAGEL4, and the bacteriocin HY41 was purified, it was discovered that Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HY41 harbored a silent gene cluster responsible for producing pediocin PA-1. Along with the pedABCD operon, this gene cluster also contained the gene encoding a toxin-antitoxin (TA) system, which acted as a defense mechanism against phage infection, and it was not found in other studies. Activation of the silent genes can produce novel and with multiple functions bacteriocin. The mode of action of bacteriocin was studied by scanning electron microscopy, and the results showed that bacteriocin HY41 caused cell death by disrupting the cell membrane of Listeria monocytogenes. The analysis of the genome of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HY41 has confirmed its probiotic and bactericidal properties, demonstrating its potential for industrial probiotic applications.