Antibiotic Resistance, Antibacterial Activity and Exopolysaccharide Determination of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Obtained from Traditional Yogurts from Muş Region

In this study, 117 natural yoghurt samples were randomly collected from different regions of Muş. After preliminary identification (colony morphology, catalase, gram staining) of suspected Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strains isolated from yoghurt samples, molecular identification was performed by PCR method using recA gene sequence. Antibacterial activities and antibiotic resistance of 40 identified L. plantarum strains were determined. While 42.5% of the isolates were resistant to all antibiotics, three isolates (25, 35 and 36) showed the highest sensitivity. It was determined that strains 5 and 23 showed the best antibacterial activity against seven different pathogenic bacteria. Exopolysaccharides (EPS) synthesized by L. plantarum strains were determined qualitatively and quantitatively. It was determined that the isolates produced EPS between 318.30±1.28 mg/L (L. plantarum 23) and 205.70±1.44 mg/L (L. plantarum 16). Considering the resistance of the isolates in this study to antibiotics, their antibacterial effects on pathogenic microorganisms and EPS synthesis amount data, it was determined that L. plantarum isolates 5 and 23 exhibited good characteristics. Therefore, it is believed that isolates that demonstrate good properties (probiotic, anticancer, and antioxidant activity, etc.) as a result of in vivo and in vitro studies conducted with these isolates will contribute to the food industry and human health.