Home⇛Annals of Tropical Research⇛vol. 48 no. 1 (2026)

Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Bacteriocin-Producing Lactic Acid Bacteria from Philippine Indigenous Fermented Foods

Rodney H. Perez | Nacita B. Lantican | Ma. Carmina C. Manuel | Amiel O. Arguil | Noel G. Sabino

 

Abstract:

Background: Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have a long history of association with food fermentation; however, the observed antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in some species has become a cause of concern. Objectives: This study aimed to characterize the antibiotic resistance profile of bacteriocinogenic LAB isolates. Methods: A total of 166 LAB isolates from different indigenous fermented foods in the Philippines were screened for bacteriocin production using the spot-on-lawn assay. Twenty-two (22) isolates exhibited bacteriocin production capacities. These isolates were identified using 16S rDNA homology analysis as Pediococcus pentosaceus (6), Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (5), Weisella cibaria (3), Enterococcus faecium (3), Enterococcus faecalis (2), Lactococcus garvieae (1), Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides (1), and Limosilactobacillus fermentum (1). Antimicrobial resistance profiles were determined against seven antibiotics (clindamycin, erythromycin, lincomycin, amoxicillin, tetracycline, penicillin, and streptomycin) using a standard antibiotic susceptibility test (AST) with commercially available antibiotic discs. Screening for AMR genes was conducted by amplifying known resistance genes using previously reported primers. Results: Out of the seven antibiotics tested, most LAB isolates were resistant to streptomycin (20/22, 90.91%), while most were susceptible to penicillin (1/22, 4.54%). Screening results revealed that sulfonamide and tetracycline resistance genes were detected in most isolates. It was also demonstrated that some AMR genes are plasmid-mediated. Conclusion: The findings underscore the importance of performing AMR profiling when selecting safe starter cultures for food fermentation to help mitigate the further spread of antibiotic resistance.



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