Improving Gut Microbiota and Growth Performance of Edible Crickets (Gryllus bimaculatus) by the Probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum TPL-2 from the Guts of the Termite, Termes propinquus

Termite guts represent a unique microbial habitat harboring bacteria with potential probiotic properties, owing to their ability to inhibit pathogenic microorganisms. This study investigated the probiotic characteristics of lactic acid bacteria newly isolated from the guts of the termite <i>Termes propinquus</i>, aiming to enhance growth performance and reduce the incidence of foodborne pathogen contamination in the commonly consumed edible two-spotted crickets (<i>Gryllus bimaculatus</i>). In this study, five morphologically different bacteria (TPL-1 to TPL-5) were isolated and respectively identified as <i>Levilactobacillus brevis</i>, <i>Lactiplantibacillus plantarum</i>, <i>Streptococcus anginosus</i>, <i>Companilactobacillus alimentarius</i>, and <i>Aerococcus viridans</i> based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and MALDI-TOF MS. All isolates were evaluated for tolerance to stressful conditions (pH 2.5 and 0.3% bile salts), cell surface properties, antioxidant activity, antimicrobial activity against foodborne pathogens, safety profiles, and adhesion to human colon adenocarcinoma cells (Caco-2 and HT-29). Among them, <i>Lactiplantibacillus plantarum</i> TPL-2 demonstrated the strongest probiotic attributes and was further assessed for anti-adhesion activity against foodborne pathogens and <i>in vivo</i> effects on the crickets. Dietary supplementation with <i>Lb. plantarum</i> TPL-2 significantly improved cricket growth, survival, and gut microbiota homeostasis. These findings point to the prospect of termite-derived lactic acid bacteria as beneficial probiotics for use in biotechnological applications and edible insect farming.