Comparative Study of Antibiotic Resistance in Lactobacillus Species Isolated from Fermented Cassava and Corn

Year 2025, Volume: 5 Issue: 2, 38 - 46, 29.04.2025

Olodu Blessing Adoh , Stephen Amadin Enabulele

https://doi.org/10.56016/dahudermj.1618187

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to conduct a comparative study of antibiotic resistance in Lactobacillus species isolated from fermented cassava and corn samples. Key objectives included identifying antibiotic resistance profiles and evaluating interspecies correlations to support the development of functional probiotics.
Methods: A total of nine (9) bacterial strains, including Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus ghanensis, Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lysinibacillus sphaericus, Bacillus cereus, and Bacillus pacificus, were analyzed for resistance against twelve (12) antibiotics. Correlation coefficients and paired statistical analysis were performed to assess interspecies relationships and variations, with p-values indicating significance. Correlations were evaluated using Pearson’s coefficient (r), and significance was set at p<0.05.
Results: Lactobacillus fermentum exhibited the highest antibiotic resistance (mean 92.94%), while Lactobacillus reuteri showed the least resistance (mean 81.88%). Significant positive correlations were observed between Lactobacillus fermentum and Lactococcus lactis (r=0.89, p<0.01) and between Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus delbrueckii (r=0.76, p<0.05). Resistance to gentamicin, amoxicillin, and erythromycin was 100% across most isolates, indicating high resistance. Paired sample analyses revealed statistically significant differences between Lactobacillus fermentum and Lysinibacillus sphaericus (p<0.001) and other isolates.
Conclusion: The high prevalence of antibiotic resistance across isolates raises concerns for therapeutic applications but underscores the potential of Lactobacillus species for robust probiotic formulations. The strong correlations between species resistance profiles suggest opportunities for targeted probiotic development and antimicrobial stewardship.

Keywords

Antibiotic resistance , Probiotic potential , Lactobacillus species , Fermented cassava , Fermented corn , Correlation analysis.

Ethical Statement

The study is proper with ethical standards, it was approved by the Department of Biological Sciences (Microbiology), Benson Idahosa University on 26th February, 2024.

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