Anti-obesity Potential of Lactobacillus spp. Isolated from Infant Feces

Obesity is fast becoming a worldwide health concern and causes a chronic state of oxidative stress and low-grade inflammation, which could be major risk factors for a number of chronic diseases. We investigated the potential of the 61 probiotic candidates isolated from infant feces towards activity of lipid accumulation inhibition, and then we extended the study to evaluate their antidiabetic and antioxidant activity. Seven strains were finally selected based on their ability to inhibit lipid accumulation (>60%) and productivity yield (>1 × 1011 colony forming units [CFU]/g): Lactobacillus acidophilus MG4558; Lactobacillus paracasei MG4592; Lactobacillus plantarum MG4553 and MG4555; and Lactobacillus rhamnosus MG4502, MG4511, and MG4505. Selected strains showed high α-glucosidase-inhibiting activity (> 50%), except for MG4511 (19.8%), and similar antioxidant activities were reflected by the results of DPPH (21.6–27.5%) and ABTS (40.9–44.9%) assays. With respect to their functional properties as probiotics, most of the strains were resistant to simulated gastric (pH 3 and 4) and intestinal (pH 7 and 8) fluids, and possessed various probiotic-related factors, including autoaggregation ability, antibiotic susceptibility, enzyme production, and biochemical profiles, and were non-hemolytic. We conclude that our strains may be good probiotic candidates for functional food ingredients to prevent metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes.