In this study, human-safe lactic acid microorganisms (LAM) were isolated from food samples to be used as potential additives for human food. Samples from various food sources (artisanal cheeses, fermented chickpeas, fermented rice, natural yogurt, pickles, and raw milk) were used to inoculate de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe (MRS) and malt agar plates, which were incubated at 30°C for 48 h or 37°C for 72 h to isolate lactic acid bacteria and yeast, respectively. Out of 120 isolates (85 bacteria and 35 yeast), 75 isolates showed γ-hemolytic activity and were considered “Generally Recognized As Safe” (GRAS) isolates. After testing their growth rate under the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) conditions, including acidic pH and specific bile salt concentrations, we selected 30 isolates. Then, we evaluated the fermentative abilities of these 30 isolates on nine types of carbohydrates, their total acidity, and their antagonistic activity against five human pathogens. Based on the results of these tests, four isolates were selected for identification using the Biolog program and 16S rRNA sequencing for bacteria and 18S rRNA sequencing for yeast and found to be Bacillus bingmayongesis (FJAT-13831), Lacticaseibacillus paracasei (R094), Pediococcus pentosaceus (DSM 20336), and one yeast isolate as Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SaCe1 26S).

Probiotics refer to microorganisms that exhibit a beneficial effect on the animals’ health through intestinal microbial balance. This investigation intends to identify and define the probiotic characteristics of Lactobacillus strains isolated from the digestive systems of ruminants. Bacterial strains were isolated purified and characterized based on morphological and biochemical characteristics. The isolates were identified using the 16S rRNA gene partial sequencing method. Most of the strains exhibited a decrease in the growth by increasing the concentration of the bile salt, NaCl, increasing the temperature over 37oC, and moving toward neutrality and alkalinity of the media. Strain Lactobacillus farraginis MD_A11 revealed the lowest decrease in the growth percentage when subjected to different bile salt concentrations of 5.96, 6.61, 6.85, 7.40, 7.53, and 7.64%, NaCl% concentrations of 1.40, 5.62, 6.48, 7.36, 7.39, 7.41, 7.42, 7.28, and 13.76%, raising the temperature over 37oC being 4.19 & 3.945%, different pH levels as compared to control, and it recorded the lowest medium pH after the third day being 4.20 with titrable acidity of 0.32%. Strain Lactobacillus farraginis MD_A11 could be recommended as a probiotic feed additive for ruminants to improve their growth performance and productivity.