Enhancing antimicrobial efficacy: Gum acacia-enriched Lactobacillus consortium against multidrug-resistant pathogens

The escalating challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has rendered many pathogens impervious to conventional antibiotics, necessitating novel therapeutic approaches. This study evaluates the antimicrobial potential of a Gum Acacia-enriched Active GRAS Consortium (AGC), composed of Lactobacillus plantarum , L. acidophilus , and L. casei var. rhamnosus , against multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens. AGC formulations, with (Set IV) and without (Set III) gum acacia, were tested against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus , Acinetobacter baumannii , Klebsiella pneumoniae , and Escherichia coli . Set IV demonstrated significantly enhanced antimicrobial activity, with inhibition zones reaching 18.7 mm, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) as low as 0.83 mg/ml, and strong biofilm inhibition. Mechanistic assays revealed amplified DNA release from treated pathogens and unique antimicrobial protein profiles (<6.5 kDa) stabilized by gum acacia. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed severe ultrastructural damage, including membrane disruption and lysis, in Set IV-treated pathogens. Adhesion assays on Caco-2 cells highlighted Set IV’s ability to reduce pathogen adhesion to 5%, outperforming non-GA enriched formulation. These results underscore the synergistic role of probiotics and natural polysaccharides, like gum acacia, in combating MDR pathogens. Set IV’s dual action-direct pathogen inhibition and biofilm disruption-positions it as a promising candidate for alternative or adjunctive therapies in AMR management. This study highlights the potential of integrating probiotics and prebiotics to create innovative solutions addressing the global AMR crisis. • Combined probiotics and Gum Acacia offer a promising alternative for MDR infections. • Gum Acacia-enriched AGC (Set IV) showed inhibition zones up to 18.7 mm against MDR strains. • Set IV maintained >90% cell viability in Caco-2 cells, indicating minimal cytotoxicity. • SDS-PAGE revealed antimicrobial proteins smaller than 6.5 kDa in Set IV. • SEM confirmed ultrastructural damage in pathogens treated with Set IV lysates.