Probiotic and metabolite profiling of poongar rice fermentation matrix: A zebrafish-based intervention study for gut dysbiosis

Preyenga Ramesh; Arockiya Anita Margret; Harishma Sekar

doi:10.23902/trkjnat.02579

Probiotic and metabolite profiling of poongar rice fermentation matrix: A zebrafish-based intervention study for gut dysbiosis

Abstract

Background: Traditional rice-based fermented foods, prevalent across Asia particularly India, constitute an unexplored reservoir of probiotic microorganisms with high commercial potential for functional foods and synbiotics.

Aims: This study investigates the probiotic properties and therapeutic efficacy of a fermented matrix derived from Oryza sativa (Poongar rice) against antibiotic-induced gut dysbiosis.

Methods: Fermented Poongar rice water underwent microbial isolation, biochemical characterization, and 16S rRNA sequencing, which confirmed the presence of Lactococcus lactis with 96.7% homology. The isolated strain was assessed for its tolerance to acidic pH, bile salts, and salinity. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis was employed to characterize its bioactive metabolite profile, including short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Nutritional composition analysis and exopolysaccharides (EPS) quantification were also performed. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) were utilized to evaluate acute toxicity (LC50 = ~2,138 ppm) and to examine gut recovery following erythromycin-induced dysbiosis.

Results: The isolated strain exhibited high survivability under simulated gastrointestinal conditions and demonstrated the production of SCFAs and EPS, both of which contribute to gut health. Zebrafish administered the probiotic matrix after antibiotic exposure displayed restored swimming behavior and significant improvement in intestinal histoarchitecture, characterized by reduced goblet cell hyperplasia and diminished villi damage.

Conclusion: Fermented Poongar rice contains a functionally robust strain of L. lactis capable of restoring gut integrity in vivo. The findings supports its potential development as a culturally rooted, cost-effective probiotic candidate for gut health applications.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Tamil Nadu State Government of Science and Technology

Project Number

TNSCST-13301/RFRS/MS/VM/2024-25

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval for zebrafish maintenance and handling was obtained from the Saveetha Dental College & Hospital Institutional Human Ethical Committee (SDC-IHEC) (reference number: 24/BIOCHEM/049, dated: 28.05.2024).

Thanks

The authors sincerely acknowledge Bishop Heber College, Tiruchirappalli, for permitting the completion of this work and for providing substantial support through the Minor Faculty Research Grant (F. No. MRP/1014/2023). The infrastructural facilities were funded by the Department of Science and Technology, India, under grant number DST/FST/College-024/161315892/IT3.D10/PT.01.02/P/T/2023.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Animal Biotechnology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Preyenga Ramesh
0000-0003-2325-1884
India

Arockiya Anita Margret ^* This is me
0000-0002-0417-2462
India

Harishma Sekar This is me
0009-0003-7740-1355
India

Publication Date

July 9, 2026

Submission Date

September 11, 2025

Acceptance Date

November 27, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 27 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.23902/trkjnat.02579

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA27FL98RC

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Ramesh, P., Margret, A. A., & Sekar, H. (2026). Probiotic and metabolite profiling of poongar rice fermentation matrix: A zebrafish-based intervention study for gut dysbiosis. Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences, 27(1), 37-46. https://doi.org/10.23902/trkjnat.02579

AMA

1.Ramesh P, Margret AA, Sekar H. Probiotic and metabolite profiling of poongar rice fermentation matrix: A zebrafish-based intervention study for gut dysbiosis. Trakya Univ J Nat Sci. 2026;27(1):37-46. doi:10.23902/trkjnat.02579

Chicago

Ramesh, Preyenga, Arockiya Anita Margret, and Harishma Sekar. 2026. “Probiotic and Metabolite Profiling of Poongar Rice Fermentation Matrix: A Zebrafish-Based Intervention Study for Gut Dysbiosis”. Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences 27 (1): 37-46. https://doi.org/10.23902/trkjnat.02579.

EndNote

Ramesh P, Margret AA, Sekar H (July 1, 2026) Probiotic and metabolite profiling of poongar rice fermentation matrix: A zebrafish-based intervention study for gut dysbiosis. Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences 27 1 37–46.

IEEE

[1]P. Ramesh, A. A. Margret, and H. Sekar, “Probiotic and metabolite profiling of poongar rice fermentation matrix: A zebrafish-based intervention study for gut dysbiosis”, Trakya Univ J Nat Sci, vol. 27, no. 1, pp. 37–46, July 2026, doi: 10.23902/trkjnat.02579.

ISNAD

Ramesh, Preyenga - Margret, Arockiya Anita - Sekar, Harishma. “Probiotic and Metabolite Profiling of Poongar Rice Fermentation Matrix: A Zebrafish-Based Intervention Study for Gut Dysbiosis”. Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences 27/1 (July 1, 2026): 37-46. https://doi.org/10.23902/trkjnat.02579.

JAMA

1.Ramesh P, Margret AA, Sekar H. Probiotic and metabolite profiling of poongar rice fermentation matrix: A zebrafish-based intervention study for gut dysbiosis. Trakya Univ J Nat Sci. 2026;27:37–46.

MLA

Ramesh, Preyenga, et al. “Probiotic and Metabolite Profiling of Poongar Rice Fermentation Matrix: A Zebrafish-Based Intervention Study for Gut Dysbiosis”. Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences, vol. 27, no. 1, July 2026, pp. 37-46, doi:10.23902/trkjnat.02579.

Vancouver

1.Preyenga Ramesh, Arockiya Anita Margret, Harishma Sekar. Probiotic and metabolite profiling of poongar rice fermentation matrix: A zebrafish-based intervention study for gut dysbiosis. Trakya Univ J Nat Sci. 2026 Jul. 1;27(1):37-46. doi:10.23902/trkjnat.02579