Evaluation of antibiotic resistance in Lactobacillus plantarum and their probiotic characteristics during the laboratory evolution in ampicillin and amoxicillin environment

Abstract

This study assessed the ampicillin and amoxicillin resistance in Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC14917 during the laboratory evolution in culture medium, including a gradually increasing concentration of antibiotic. In ampicillin and amoxicillin environment, both evolved strains obtained high levels of resistance. After the subsequent passage in antibiotic‐free medium, amoxicillin‐resistant strains returned to sensitive level, but resistance to ampicillin remained stable. The homology‐based analysis showed that the spread of antibiotic resistance genes in the gut would not occur in these mutant genes. This study could serve as evidence supporting the safe use of L. plantarum ATCC14917 in clinical practice when ampicillin and amoxicillin were concurrently used.