Isolation and Characterization of Lactic Acid Bacteria From “ <i>Trites</i> ” Having the Ability to Produce α‐Glucosidase Inhibitors

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors are one of the therapies used for treating type 2 diabetes by inhibiting the absorption of carbohydrates in the gastrointestinal tract. In addition to antimicrobial activity, some probiotic species show <i>α</i>-glucosidase inhibitor activity, making them potential alternative therapies for type 2 diabetes. This study aimed to characterize probiotics from "<i>trites</i>," a traditional food from North Sumatra, Indonesia, that exhibit <i>α</i>-glucosidase inhibition, potentially useful for type 2 diabetes treatment. The probiotic potential of the isolates was evaluated through antagonistic activity, acid tolerance, bile tolerance, and susceptibility to antimicrobial agents. <i>α</i>-Glucosidase inhibition was tested with acarbose as a control. The best-performing isolate, LBSU8, was identified as <i>Pediococcus acidilactici</i> through 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Gene analysis using genome sequencing for LBSU8 revealed antimicrobial secondary metabolites, including RiPPs, polyketide, and NRP, while capsular polysaccharide might contribute to its antidiabetic activity. Though no specific <i>α</i>-glucosidase inhibitory secondary metabolites were identified, enzymes like dTDP-glucose 4,6-dehydratase, transketolase, and glucose-1-phosphate thymidylyltransferase may contribute to this activity. <i>P. acidilactici</i> LBSU8 shows potential as an alternative diabetes therapy in the food and drug industries. Further studies are needed to elucidate the exact mechanism behind its <i>α</i>-glucosidase inhibitory activity and to explore its efficacy in clinical settings.