Complete genome sequence of the probiotic candidate strain Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus B3421 isolated from Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer in South Korea

In this study, we isolated L. rhamnosus B3421 from Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer (Ginseng) and performed whole-genome sequencing. The genome of L. rhamnosus B3421 consists of 3,000,051 base pairs (bp) with a guanine + cytosine (G + C) content of 46.70%. It encodes 59 transfer RNAs, 15 ribosomal RNAs, and 2,807 coding sequences (CDSs). Of these CDSs, 99.13% (2,758 proteins) were assigned to functional categories in the Clusters of Orthologous Group (COGs) classification system, while 49 proteins remained uncharacterized. Our genome analysis identified no antibiotic resistance (ABR) or antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes, indicating that L. rhamnosus B3421 is a safe probiotic bacterium with minimal risk of contributing to the horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance within the gut microbiome. Additionally, the genome contains genes associated with the ggmotif (PF10439), Enterocin X chain beta, and Carnocin CP52, as identified through BAGEL4 analysis, along with 24 other genes related to reductase or peroxidase activities. These genes may confer competitive advantages against pathogenic bacteria and oxidative stress. Our findings highlight the probiotic potential of L. rhamnosus B3421 and its prospective applications in promoting human and animal health.