Antioxidant Activity and Probiotic Properties of Lactic Acid Bacteria

Oxidative stress, which can cause imbalance in the body by damaging cells and tissues, arises from the immoderate production of reactive oxygen species (ROS)/reactive nitrogen species (RNS). Therefore, external supplements having antioxidant activity are required for reducing oxidative stress. In our study, we investigated DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging ability, and the inhibition effect on the nitric oxide (NO) production of 15 food-derived bacterial strains in LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells. Among these LAB strains, eight strains with an excellent inhibition effect on NO production were selected through comparisons within the same genera. Moreover, the selected strains, including Leuconostoc mesenteroides MG860, Leu. citreum MG210, Pediococcus acidilactici MG5001, P. pentosaceus MG5078, Weissella cibaria MG5090, Levilactobacillus brevis MG5306, Latilactobacillus curvatus MG5020, and Latilactobacillus sakei MG5048 diminished the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)/cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression. In addition, the stability and adhesion ability of the eight LAB strains in the gastrointestinal tract were determined. In conclusion, the selected strains have potential as new probiotics with antioxidant effects.