Search Results (99)

Background: The vaginal microbiota of healthy women is predominantly composed of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), particularly species from the lactobacilli group, which contribute to the maintenance of vaginal health through multiple protective mechanisms. Objectives: In the present study, vaginal LAB isolated from healthy premenopausal Algerian women were evaluated for their probiotic potential. Methods: A total of 259 LAB isolates were initially screened for antimicrobial activity against vaginal pathogens, among which 164 strains exhibited inhibitory effects. Based on antimicrobial capacity and biofilm formation ability, 38 strains were selected for further characterization. A refined subset of 15 strains belonging to Lactiplantibacillus (Lpb.) plantarum, Limosilactobacillus (Lmb.) fermentum, and Ligilactobacillus (Lgb.) salivarius were subsequently identified according to their superior antimicrobial and probiotic-related properties. The selected strains were evaluated for several functional and safety characteristics, including antimicrobial activity, production of lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), biofilm formation, auto-aggregation, cell surface hydrophobicity, antibiotic susceptibility, hemolytic activity, and tolerance to acidic conditions. These studies were complemented with comparative genomics using the complete genome sequences of selected strains. Results: The isolates demonstrated significant inhibitory activity against vaginal pathogens associated with aerobic vaginitis, and vulvovaginal candidiasis. In addition, strong correlations were observed between metabolite production and antimicrobial activity. Several strains also exhibited enhanced biofilm formation, aggregation capacity, and favorable safety profiles. Among the tested isolates, Lmb. fermentum 70BJ2, Lpb. plantarum 87JG8, and Lpb.plantarum N17 emerged as particularly promising probiotic candidates due to their combined antimicrobial, metabolic, and adhesion-related properties. Conclusions: Overall, these findings demonstrate that the vaginal microbiota of healthy Algerian women represents a valuable source of potential probiotic strains and provide a strong basis for future in vivo validation and clinical application in the prevention and management of vaginal infections. Full article

Dysregulation of the microbiota–gut–brain axis has been implicated in Parkinson’s disease (PD), and modulation of the intestinal microbiota may offer a complementary nutritional approach. This study evaluated the preventive attenuation of MPTP-induced PD-like abnormalities by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum SHOU LAC-1 and examined associated microbiota–gut–brain axis-related changes. Forty male C57BL/6J mice were allocated to Control, MPTP, L-DOPA, and SHOU LAC-1 groups (n = 10 per group). SHOU LAC-1 was orally administered at 1 × 10⁹ CFU per mouse per day for 42 days, with MPTP administered during the final 14 days; L-DOPA was administered during the MPTP-treatment period as a positive control. Motor performance and defecatory parameters, nigrostriatal TH and α-SYN immunoreactivity, neurotrophic-support-related gene expression, inflammatory markers, glial-cell-related gene expression, Nrf2-related antioxidant gene expression, colonic histopathology and tight-junction-related gene expression, gut microbiota composition, and serum metabolic profiles were assessed. Compared with MPTP-treated mice, SHOU LAC-1-treated mice showed better motor and defecatory performance, partial preservation of nigrostriatal TH immunoreactivity, reduced α-SYN immunoreactivity, increased neurotrophic-support-related gene expression, lower central and colonic inflammatory markers and glial-cell-related gene expression, increased Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1-related antioxidant gene expression, and comparatively better-preserved colonic morphology with higher tight-junction-related gene expression. 16S rRNA sequencing and untargeted serum metabolomics further showed that SHOU LAC-1 administration was accompanied by changes in gut microbial diversity and composition and serum metabolic profiles. Overall, under this preventive experimental design, SHOU LAC-1 administration was associated with attenuation of multiple MPTP-induced PD-like abnormalities, accompanied by changes in gut microbial and serum metabolic profiles. These preclinical findings are predominantly associative; causal relationships among microbial, metabolic, intestinal, and neurological changes remain to be established, and the translational relevance of SHOU LAC-1 requires further validation. Full article

Background: Exercise-induced fatigue (EIF) and exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) impair neuromuscular performance and delay post-exercise recovery. However, human evidence regarding the structural and functional recovery kinetics following Lactiplantibacillus plantarum GKK1 supplementation remains limited. Objective: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigated whether 4 weeks of L. plantarum GKK1 supplementation improves functional recovery and modulates biochemical responses after an EIMD protocol in healthy men. Methods: Forty-eight healthy men with no regular exercise habits were randomly assigned to receive either placebo (n = 24) or L. plantarum GKK1 (two capsules daily, totaling 1.0 × 10¹¹ CFU; n = 24) for 28 consecutive days. The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06893549). After supplementation, participants completed 100 maximal plyometric jumps. Countermovement jump (CMJ), isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), and Wingate anaerobic performance were assessed before EIMD and at 3, 24, and 48 h post-EIMD. Blood biomarkers of muscle damage, inflammation, oxidative stress, endocrine response, and sympathoadrenal activity were analyzed, and urinary 3-methylhistidine and creatinine were measured. Results: Compared with placebo, GKK1 supplementation was associated with smaller post-exercise decrements in the CMJ rate of force development, relative peak force, jump height, IMTP relative peak force and peak RFD, and Wingate anaerobic performance (p < 0.05). GKK1 also attenuated post-exercise increases in CK, myoglobin, hs-CRP, and TBARS, and was associated with more favorable testosterone, HGH, catecholamine, and dopamine responses. At 24 h post-EIMD, urinary 3-methylhistidine and the 3-methylhistidine/urinary creatinine ratio were lower in the GKK1 group than in the placebo group. No adverse changes were observed in clinical safety biomarkers. Conclusion: These findings suggest that GKK1 may be a safe nutritional strategy to facilitate functional recovery, attenuate secondary inflammatory responses and modulate urinary markers associated with muscle breakdown following muscle-damaging exercise in healthy young men. Full article

Background: The skin barrier plays a fundamental role in preventing transepidermal water loss (TEWL), regulating immune responses, and protecting against pathogen colonization. Disruption of this barrier underlies xerosis, sensitive skin, and clinical cracking. Heat-treated probiotics (postbiotics) represent a stable and biologically active approach to topical formulation. Objective: To evaluate the safety, molecular mechanisms, and clinical efficacy of heat-treated Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Skinbac™ SB14 (SB14) in improving skin barrier function, hydration, and the appearance of dry and cracked skin. Methods: In vitro studies assessed cell viability (MTT assay) and cytotoxicity (LDH release assay), Aquaporin-3 (AQP3) expression, Claudin-1 expression recovery following UV-induced damage (post-damage treatment model), cytokine modulation in Normal Human Epidermal Keratinocytes (NHEK) and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs), and antipathogen activity against Staphylococcus aureus biofilm. A 30-day open-label, placebo-controlled clinical study (n = 20 healthy volunteers, both sexes, age > 18 years) evaluated an emulsion containing 1% SB14 versus placebo using instrumental measurements of superficial hydration (Corneometer^® CM825) and TEWL (Tewameter^® TM300), and clinical scoring of skin hydration (Kligman scale 1–4) and skin cracking (ODS Overall Dry Skin Score 1–5) via C-Cube imaging. Results: In vitro testing confirmed the safety of SB14 (full cell viability by MTT assay; no cytotoxicity by LDH release assay) and demonstrated significant AQP3 upregulation (p < 0.05), partial Claudin-1 recovery in UV-damaged cells following post-damage SB14 application (p < 0.1 vs. UV damage), significant reduction in pro-inflammatory IL-8 and IL-23 in NHEK (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05), strong innate immune activation in PBMCs (TNF-α and IL-6, p < 0.001), and 21% inhibition of S. aureus biofilm at 72 h. Clinically, the SB14 formulation significantly increased superficial skin hydration by +46.1% at T14 (p = 0.0451) and +33.6% at T30 (p = 0.0144) versus baseline, while TEWL decreased by −14.5% at T14 (p = 0.0205). Clinical hydration scores improved significantly from a median of 3.0 (moderate dry skin) at baseline to 2.0 (slightly dry skin) at T30 (p = 0.0073). Cracking scores improved significantly from a median of 3.5 at baseline to 2.0 at T30 (p = 0.0037), with 80% of subjects showing improvement at T30. All parameters remained non-significant in the placebo group. No adverse events were reported. Conclusions: SB14 is safe, biologically active across multiple barrier-relevant mechanisms, and clinically effective in improving hydration and reducing visible skin cracking in subjects with dry, barrier-compromised skin. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of formic acid (A), lignocellulolytic enzymes (E), and a lignocellulose-degrading microbial consortium (M) on fermentation quality, lignocellulose degradation, carbohydrate conversion, bacterial community, and potential microbial associations in forage oat silage. Fresh forage oat was treated with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum alone (control) or combined with A, E, or M and ensiled for 60 days with three biological replicates per treatment. All additives improved silage fermentation quality. Compared with the control, E and M significantly increased lactic acid content, reduced pH, and decreased ammonia-N accumulation. E exhibited the highest water-soluble carbohydrate content (26.37 g/kg DM) and achieved the greatest degradation extent of hemicellulose, cellulose, and ADL, accompanied by increased release of glucose, fructose, and xylose. LEfSe and correlation analysis suggested that carbohydrate-utilizing bacteria and LAB-related taxa were closely associated with lignocellulose degradation, xylose release, and lactic acid production. M exhibited the highest observed co-occurrence network complexity, suggesting altered potential associations among bacterial taxa during ensiling. E primarily improved silage quality by promoting lignocellulose degradation and increasing carbohydrate availability, whereas M was associated with improved fermentation characteristics and changes in bacterial community composition and co-occurrence network complexity. These findings highlight lignocellulolytic enzymes and microbial consortia as effective strategies for improving lignocellulose utilization and fermentation quality in forage oat silage. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of selected lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains isolated from the meat plant production environment (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum OP1 and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei OP3) on the quality and physicochemical properties of innovative beef dry-fermented sausages. As part of the experiment, four treatments were prepared: a control treatment with salt (C), a treatment with a curing mixture (P), and two treatments inoculated with LAB strains (OP1 and OP3) and salt. Samples were analyzed immediately after the completion of a 35-day ripening process and after 3 months of refrigerated storage in vacuum packaging. Analyses revealed that the total lactic acid bacteria (LAB) counts remained at high levels, ranging from 8.19 to 9.64 log CFU/g after the 3-month storage period. The application of autochthonous LAB strains improved the microbiological stability and exhibited bioprotective potential by significantly limiting the growth of native Enterobacteriaceae and coagulase-positive staphylococci compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Regarding the basic composition of the innovative beef dry-fermented sausages, it was observed that treatments inoculated with LAB strains (particularly L. paracasei OP3) exhibited greater dehydration. This resulted in higher protein and salt content, as well as significant increases in textural parameters in the OP3 samples, including hardness (82.39 N), gumminess, and chewiness. The addition of starter cultures also affected the oxidative stability: both strains significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), while the TBARS index was significantly lowered by OP1 and maintained below the sensory detection limit by OP3 treatment. Full article

Background/Objectives: The skin microbiome maintains barrier integrity, immune homeostasis, and pathogen defense; dysbiosis contributes to acne vulgaris, dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and alopecia. This scoping review critically appraised evidence on prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics, and paraprobiotics in dermo-cosmetics for acne vulgaris and scalp disorders. Methods: A scoping search (2006–2026) covered SciELO, PubMed/PMC, Google Scholar, CAPES Portal, Scopus, Heliyon, Frontiers, Nature, Wiley, and MDPI, following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Results: Of 1665 records, 66 were included. For acne, effective prebiotics included blackcurrant, grape seed, ginseng, trehalose, and glucomannan hydrolysate; effective probiotic strains included Streptococcus thermophilus, Bifidobacterium longum, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Streptococcus salivarius. A synbiotic (B. breve BR03, Lacticaseibacillus casei LC03, Ligilactobacillus salivarius LS03) reduced inflammatory lesions by 56.67% in an 8-week RCT (n = 114). For scalp disorders, oral Lacticaseibacillus paracasei ST11 reduced dandruff by 70% vs. 23% (placebo); Lactiplantibacillus plantarum TCI999 increased hair root diameter (n = 50, 12 weeks); a Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus plus Bifidobacterium longum mixture improved alopecia areata by 56% vs. 30% (n = 26, 24 weeks). Conclusions: Biotic dermo-cosmetics can modulate the cutaneous microbiome and attenuate inflammation in acne and scalp disorders, with strongest evidence for multi-strain/synbiotic formulations. Formulation stability, strain specificity, regulatory heterogeneity, and lack of standardized microbiological endpoints remain key challenges; larger standardized RCTs with active comparators are needed. Full article

This study developed an ABTS-targeted sequential fermentation strategy for fermented apple beverages using Metschnikowia sp. Mp58 belonging to the M. pulcherrima clade (Mp) and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Cro3-2 (Lp). Thirteen Metschnikowia isolates and ten Lactiplantibacillus isolates were initially screened according to their effects on ABTS radical-scavenging activity, after which Mp58 and Cro3-2 were selected for further investigation. Different fermentation strategies were compared, and sequential inoculation of Mp followed by Lp produced the highest ABTS radical-scavenging activity. Single-factor experiments, an orthogonal design, and response surface methodology were subsequently used to optimize the inoculation interval, fermentation temperature, and total fermentation time, with ABTS radical-scavenging activity as the sole response variable. The selected conditions consisted of Mp inoculation at 0 h, Lp inoculation after 25 h, and fermentation for a total of 46 h at 21.50 °C. The experimentally obtained ABTS radical-scavenging activity was 78.17 ± 0.49%, which was close to the model-predicted value. Under the selected conditions, Mp–Lp sequential fermentation significantly altered the physicochemical, bioactive, in vitro functional, and volatile characteristics of the apple beverage. Compared with the uninoculated control, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and ascorbic acid content increased by 73.08%, 32.97%, and 7.14%, respectively. These changes were accompanied by increases of 41.00%, 39.77%, and 37.86% in ABTS radical-scavenging activity, DPPH radical-scavenging activity, and ferric reducing antioxidant power, respectively. The Mp–Lp beverage also exhibited the highest α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities, reaching 85.97% and 78.35%, respectively, as well as bile salt-binding capacities of 51.57% for sodium glycocholate and 54.97% for sodium taurocholate. Ethanol accumulation remained limited under the tested conditions, although concentrations below the measurement capability of the distillation–hydrometer method could not be excluded. A total of 95 volatile compounds were tentatively identified by HS-SPME-GC-MS. The sequentially fermented beverage contained a larger number of detected volatile compounds than the single-strain fermented beverages and showed treatment-associated changes in the relative distribution of esters, alcohols, and fatty acids. Exploratory PCA and OPLS-DA indicated differences in volatile composition among treatments, while nonanoic acid, ethyl hexanoate, n-decanoic acid, isophorone, and (E)-2-hexen-1-ol were identified as candidate compounds associated with group separation. These chemical changes should not be interpreted as direct evidence of improved aroma or sensory quality in the absence of sensory evaluation. Overall, Mp–Lp sequential fermentation represents a potentially useful bioprocessing strategy for modifying the bioactive properties, in vitro functional indicators, and volatile composition of fermented apple beverages. Full article

Preserving high-quality forage through silage is essential for continuous livestock production, yet protein degradation during fermentation remains a major challenge. To mitigate this nutrient loss, probiotics and phytobiotics are utilized as protective additives. This study investigated the synergistic application of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and plant-derived bioactive compounds as deamination inhibitors to improve the fermentation quality and amino acid profiles of tropical forage silages. The experiment followed a 2 × 4 × 4 completely randomized factorial design with five replications. Factor A tested the inclusion of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculum (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum). Factor B compared different plant extracts as additives (Acacia mangium, Swietenia macrophylla, and cumin essential oil), while Factor C evaluated various forage types (Pennisetum purpureum, Indigofera zollingeriana, Gliricidia sepium, and Stylosanthes guianensis). Statistical analysis revealed that LAB inoculation significantly reduced the pH level, suppressed fungal contamination, and improved physical traits (p < 0.05). Both the additive sources and forage types also exerted strong influences across all measured variables (p < 0.05). The interaction between microbes and plant extracts enhances protein preservation during ensiling. Among all the treatments tested, Indigofera zollingeriana showed the best response. The specific combination of L. plantarum and A. mangium extracts in Indigofera silage produced the best fermentation characteristics and a high ability to retain essential amino acids, particularly histidine, lysine, tryptophan, and valine. Lower NH₃-N concentrations and better amino acid preservation in this treatment indicate reduced protein loss due to proteolysis and deamination during fermentation. These findings confirm that the combination of probiotics and certain plant extracts is a highly effective strategy for maintaining the nutritional integrity of tropical forage preserved in silage form. Full article

Background: Insomnia and stress-related sleep disorders are increasingly recognized as systemic conditions linked to the microbiota–gut–brain axis (MGBA). With growing clinical interest in natural products that modulate the gut environment, this systematic review evaluates the efficacy and mechanisms of non-pharmacological interventions, specifically probiotics, prebiotics, dietary indices, and botanicals, in alleviating insomnia, restoring circadian rhythms, and modulating neurochemical markers. Methods: In strict accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we searched PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and The Cochrane Library for English language studies published from inception to March 31, 2026. Eligibility was restricted to studies with rigorously controlled designs, specifically randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled in vivo animal studies. Interventions had to target the gut microbiota, with primary outcomes measuring sleep quality (subjective or objective) or sleep-related neurochemical markers. We excluded uncontrolled, single-arm, or observational designs; in vitro studies; non-original research; and studies involving subjects with severe medical or psychiatric comorbidities (e.g., cancer, ADHD, severe psychiatric disorders) to prevent confounding variables, though mild-to-moderate anxiety and depression were permitted. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2.0 and SYRCLE tools. Due to significant methodological heterogeneity, a narrative synthesis stratified by intervention and population was conducted. This review was not registered in PROSPERO. Results: A total of 56 studies (33 humans, 23 animals) met the inclusion criteria. Taxonomic nomenclature was updated to reflect 2020 reclassifications (e.g., Lactiplantibacillus plantarum). In human trials, interventions significantly improved subjective sleep metrics (PSQI, ISI). Recent additions demonstrated the efficacy of the Dietary Index for Gut Microbiota (DI-GM) and the improvement in N3 sleep latency by yeast mannan. Furthermore, whole-food patterns (e.g., the MIND diet) and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) decoctions successfully enriched beneficial taxa, such as Bacteroides coprophilus, and increased short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. Animal models demonstrated that “psychobiotic” strains (Bifidobacterium breve, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei), prebiotics (GOS/PDX), and TCM formulas effectively restored GABA/5-HT profiles, lowered morning cortisol, and facilitated REM rebound in PCPA-induced models, while also consolidating non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep and downregulating clock genes (Per1/Per2). Conclusions: Psychobiotics, prebiotics, and botanicals represent a highly viable non-pharmacological strategy for treating insomnia. However, current evidence is constrained by a heavy reliance on subjective human questionnaires, short follow-up durations limiting insight into long-term stability, and a substantial translational gap between mechanistic rodent models and human clinical outcomes. Full article

This study aims to elucidate the mechanism by which exogenous guanosine monophosphate (GMP) enhances the stress tolerance of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Y12. Phenotypic assays demonstrated that GMP supplementation significantly improved biofilm formation, adhesion index, and auto-aggregation ability. The survival ability of Y12 in simulated gastric juice, intestinal juice, and freeze-drying stress was also significantly increased. Transcriptomic results revealed that GMP increased the intracellular content of the second messengers C-di-AMP and C-di-GMP by reducing phosphodiesterase (PDE, RS04640). This, together with the upregulated expression of luxR and rpoN, synergistically promoted biofilm formation. Furthermore, GMP enhanced acid tolerance by increasing glutamate decarboxylase activity (GAD, RS05235). It also significantly elevated the levels of extracellular proteins, exopolysaccharides, membrane polysaccharides, and membrane fatty acids by modulating genes related to proteins (yidC, yajC), polysaccharides (agaB, agaC), and membrane fatty acid synthesis (RS02005, plsY), which was also demonstrated by quantitative determination. Collectively, these regulatory mechanisms substantially improve the stress tolerance of L. plantarum Y12, providing a theoretical basis for its application. Full article

Owing to their favorable stability and safety profile, postbiotics—defined as functional metabolites originating from probiotic microbes—have attracted growing interest in the field of companion animal health care. The present work sought to evaluate how postbiotics prepared from Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Pediococcus lactis influence lipid metabolism, blood biochemistry, and the composition of fecal microbiota in felines. Eighteen clinically healthy adult cats were assigned at random to three equal-sized groups: a control treatment (n = 6, a basal diet), a L. plantarum postbiotic L-27-2 group (n = 6, a basal diet with 10⁹ CFU equivalent/kg/day), and a P. lactis L-14-1 postbiotic group (n = 6, a basal diet with 10⁹ CFU equivalent/kg/day). The supplementation lasted four weeks. Both postbiotics significantly lowered serum total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) concentrations (p < 0.05), demonstrating a modulatory action on lipid metabolism in cats. The L-27-2 postbiotic selectively enriched beneficial taxa, notably Bifidobacterium (p < 0.05). Furthermore, fecal levels of malodorous compounds were significantly decreased by both treatments (p < 0.05). The results suggested both postbiotics have potential positive effects in cats. These findings are preliminary and hypothesis-generating. Full article

This study aimed to assess the potential of meat-derived lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains on the technological, microbiological, and physicochemical quality of beef sausages. Four fermented sausage treatments were prepared: (C) was produced without cultures; (S2A) was produced with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum S2A; (S4B) was produced with Lactiplantibacillus pentosus S4B; and (OP4) was produced with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum OP4. All tested treatments were characterized by high total aerobic mesophilic and LAB counts (7.48–8.16 and 7.68–8.20 log CFU/g, respectively). Overall, the sausages were characterized by insufficient microbiological quality, with a relatively high number of coagulase-positive staphylococci (3.35–4.26 log CFU/g). The sausages differed significantly in terms of color (p < 0.05). The C and S4B treatments were shown to be more red and yellow than S2A and OP4. Differences were observed in the texture assessment of the sausages, and the least hard were those of the OP4 treatment (288.01 N). Analysis of physicochemical parameters revealed no significant differences in water activity (p > 0.05). The starter culture treatments were characterized by a higher pH (5.69–5.82; p < 0.05) than the C treatment (5.42). Oxidation–reduction potential was significantly higher in the control sample (469.87 mV; p < 0.05). The highest peroxide value and TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) values were recorded in S2A (1.98 meq O₂ kg⁻¹ of fat and 1.784 mg MDA kg⁻¹, respectively), while the lowest found in S4B and OP4 (1.65 meq O₂ kg⁻¹ of fat and 1.340 mg MDA kg⁻¹, respectively). Fatty acid profile analysis revealed that the use of LAB influenced the proportion of individual lipid fractions in fermented beef sausages. Free amino acid analysis revealed a significant effect of the LAB starter cultures used on the intensity of proteolytic transformations in sausages. The results indicate that indigenous strains of LAB can be effectively used as starter cultures in the production of fermented beef sausages. Their use contributes to improving the product’s physicochemical and textural properties and may also increase its oxidative stability and nutritional value. Full article

Air-dried mutton is a traditional, culturally significant meat product, yet its spontaneous fermentation is inherently constrained by unstable microbial communities, leading to batch-to-batch quality inconsistency and potential food safety hazards. Elucidating whether composite starter cultures can modulate the microbiota and enhance product quality is therefore critical for standardized industrial processing. Herein, we investigated the effects of a defined starter culture (composed of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Pediococcus pentosaceus in a 2:1 ratio, with a total inoculum of 10⁸ CFU/g) on the quality and flavor of air-dried mutton, comparing inoculated samples (FJ) with naturally fermented controls (ZR). The fermentation was conducted at 30 °C and 95% relative humidity (RH) for 24 h, followed by air-drying at 4 °C for 21 d, with all assays performed in three biological and three technical replicates. Starter inoculation significantly reduced the pH, water activity (Aw), total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values while improving sensory acceptability (p < 0.05). Amplicon sequencing analysis revealed a lactic acid bacteria (LAB)-dominated microbiota in FJ samples, with elevated abundances of Pediococcus and Lactobacillus and reduced abundance of Pseudomonas. The inoculated group also exhibited altered eicosapentaenoic acid content and a more diverse volatile flavor profile, with eight key aroma compounds positively correlating with LAB abundance. These findings demonstrate that composite starter inoculation improves physicochemical quality, stabilizes the microbial community, and enhances flavor in air-dried mutton. Further mechanistic validation and scale-up trials are required to confirm industrial applicability. Full article

Background/Objectives: Hypertriglyceridemia is a critical cardiovascular risk factor, and the probiotic combination of Latilactobacillus curvatus HY7601 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum KY1032 (HY+KY) has emerged as a potential therapeutic strategy, though clinical validation in adults with mild hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is needed. Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 12-week trial, a total of 100 overweight participants with mild HTG were randomized (n = 50 per group). Ultimately, 80 participants completed the study without major protocol violations and were evaluated in the Per-Protocol Set (probiotics group: n = 41; placebo group: n = 39). Primary outcomes included changes in serum lipid profiles such as triglycerides (TG) and LDL cholesterol (LDL), metabolic biomarkers, and gut microbiota composition analyzed via 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results: HY+KY supplementation led to significant reductions in serum TG (158.61 ± 23.17 to 139.54 ± 54.31 mg/dL, p = 0.009) and LDL (129.22 ± 28.45 to 111.34 ± 21.03 mg/dL, p = 0.005) compared to baseline, while the placebo group showed no significant changes. Furthermore, the HY+KY group exhibited a significant increase in Apolipoprotein CII (ApoC2, p = 0.034) and a reduction in fasting glucose levels (p = 0.021). Microbiome analysis revealed that HY+KY significantly increased alpha diversity (Shannon index, p = 0.012) and significantly altered the microbial community structure (beta diversity, p = 0.015). Co-occurrence network analysis identified Lactiplantibacillus as a highly connected central node that is strongly associated with the favorable shifts in clinical biomarkers. Conclusions: HY+KY supplementation was associated with improved fasting TG and LDL profiles in adults with mild HTG, alongside coordinated changes in ApoC2, fasting glucose, and gut microbiota structure. These findings support the potential of probiotic supplementation as a preventive nutritional approach in borderline HTG. Full article