PacBio SMRT sequencing of traditional dairy products from Eastern Inner Mongolia reveals diverse lactic acid bacteria and identifies Pediococcus strains with potent cholesterol-lowering potential.

The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region represent valuable resources for exploring microbial diversity and identifying potential probiotics. This study utilized PacBio SMRT (Single Molecule, Real-Time) sequencing to analyze the microbial communities of 20 traditional dairy products from Eastern Inner Mongolia. The analysis revealed considerable bacterial diversity, encompassing 664 genera and 953 species, with a core microbiota dominated by Lactococcus and Lactobacillus. From a collection of 64 isolated lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains, comprehensive in vitro screening identified 2 strains, L27 (Pediococcus acidilactici) and L12 (Pediococcus pentosaceus), demonstrating notable probiotic potential. Strain L27 exhibited the highest cholesterol removal capacity (38.98%) and robust tolerance to simulated gastrointestinal conditions (acid, bile salts, and enzymes). Strain L12 showed superior adhesion potential, as indicated by high cell surface hydrophobicity and strong coaggregation with pathogens, along with a favorable antibiotic susceptibility profile. Safety assessments confirmed the absence of hemolytic activity in both strains. These results highlight strains L27 and L12 as promising candidate probiotics for developing functional foods aimed at cholesterol management, providing a solid foundation for further in vivo studies and mechanistic investigations.