Comprehensive safety evaluation of DW2009, a complex of Lactiplantibacillus C29 and fermented soybean powder

Probiotics with potential health benefits are increasingly incorporated into a wide range of functional foods. However, the safety profiles of probiotics can vary depending on the strain, necessitating a comprehensive safety assessment prior to human use. In this study, the safety profile of a complex of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum C29 and fermented soybean powder (DW2009) was evaluated through a battery of in vitro and in vivo toxicological assessments. L. plantarum C29 demonstrated susceptibility to all tested antibiotics, thereby minimizing the risk of horizontal gene transfer. Safety tests confirmed the absence of hemolytic activity, virulence factors, toxin production, biogenic amine production, and mucin degradation. The results of a 90-day oral toxicity study with repeated doses established no observable adverse effect for DW2009 at 3,000 mg/kg body weight/day. Additionally, all genotoxicity assays yielded negative results, indicating no mutagenic potential. Taken together, these findings support a favorable safety profile of DW2009 for application in functional foods.