Indigenous Fruit-Derived Lactic Acid Bacteria with Probiotic Potential and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme I Inhibitory Activity

The prospecting of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from natural niches represents a strategy in the development of functional foods. Fruits are promising sources of LAB adapted to acidic environments. This study evaluated the probiotic and biotechnological potential of LAB isolated from native fruits of the Minas Gerais biomes. Thirteen strains were isolated from pequi (Caryocar brasiliense) and tree tomato (Solanum betaceum), identified as Leuconostoc mesenteroides (MQ389, MQ395, MQ396, MQ397, MQ398, and MQ402), Weissella cibaria (MQ391 and MQ404), Pediococcus pentosaceus (MQ392 and MQ390), Enterococcus faecalis (MQ403), Lacticaseibacillus paracasei (MQ393), and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (MQ394). Nine LAB showed γ-hemolysis. When evaluating susceptibility to antimicrobials, all strains were susceptible to chloramphenicol. MQ391 was susceptible to all nine tested antimicrobials. MQ393 showed autoaggregation of 26.37% at 37 °C and coaggregation greater than 81% with E. coli. Hydrophobicity results did not exceed 7.49% (MQ390). Seven LAB maintained counts above 8.0 log CFU/mL after simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Only MQ402 exhibited moderate antagonistic activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The tested LAB demonstrated technological potential through the production of exopolysaccharides and β-galactosidase, proteolytic activity, and absence of gelatinase. The evaluated strains showed promising functional characteristics, with ACE-I inhibitory activity observed above 80% across the strains and BSH activity qualitatively detected in seven of the nine strains (77.78%). Indigenous LAB from fruits of the Minas Gerais biome show promising properties for application in fermented foods.