Abstract

                                Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are commonly associated with agricultural produces like cereals, fruits, and vegetables. Probiotic lactobacilli are the potential microbes to reduce unavoidable pesticide absorption besides their ability to degrade pesticides in humans and wildlife. The present study aimed to evaluate the strains Lactobacillus plantarum Pb3, Lactobacillus acidophilus Pc1 and Lactobacillus lactis Pt4 for their antioxidant ability and tolerance to simulated gastric and intestinal juice to understand their effects against oxidative damage induced by the pesticides chlorpyriphos, imidacloprid and chlorantraniliprole. Among the three strains, L. plantarum Pb3 exhibited the highest antioxidant ability and tolerance to simulated gastric and intestinal juices, followed by L. acidophilus Pc1 and L. lactis Pt4. Intact cells possessed higher activity than cell-free extracts and cell-free supernatant. The lipid peroxidation inhibition ability of intact cells of L. plantarum Pb3 in the presence of chlorpyriphos, imidacloprid and chlorantraniliprole was 58.12%, 50.75% and 48.88% respectively, and it was 46.19% in the absence of pesticides. Hydroxyl radical scavenging abilities of intact cells of L. plantarum Pb3 in the presence of chlorpyriphos, imidacloprid, and chlorantraniliprole were 52.09%, 49.88%, and 49.15% respectively, as against 45.56% in the absence of pesticides. Under simulated gastric and intestinal juices, a 70 to 75% survival rate was recorded in L. plantarum Pb3. The antioxidant ability of LAB and the tolerance of simulated gastric and intestinal juices indicated the potential protective effects of L. plantarum Pb3 against the adverse effect of pesticides on human health.

Key words : Lactic acid bacteria; Pesticide toxicity; Antioxidant; Gastrointestinal tolerance