Assessing probiotic attributes and molecular characterization of Weissella confusa from barbari goat faeces using 16S rRNA

The present study examined the probiotic potential and molecular characterization of Weissella confusa isolated from goat faeces using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. A total of 15 lactic acid bacterial isolates were obtained from 42 fresh faecal samples collected from healthy barbari goats. Based on morphological, biochemical, and molecular analyses, two isolates goat faecal-7 (GF-7) and goat faecal-8 (GF-8) (Genbank accession numbers: MZ314055.1 Weissella confusa India and MZ314055.2 Weissella confusa India) were identified as W. confusa with 99.2% similarity to reference sequences in GenBank. The isolates demonstrated significant probiotic attributes including acid tolerance (survival at pH 2.5), bile salt resistance (0.3% oxgall), adhesion to intestinal epithelial cells (34.2%), and antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed sensitivity to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, and tetracycline, indicating their safety for potential probiotic applications. The strains produced lactic acid at a concentration of 8.4 g/L and exhibited β-galactosidase activity. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that the isolates belong to the Weissella genus. The results indicate that W. confusa MZ314055.1 and MZ314055.2 possess probiotic characteristics suitable for functional food development and animal health enhancement.