“…thermophilus (pA2, pA33, pSt04, pJ34, LeJ2, p4028, pRS1) [85,86]. A large number of plasmids were also isolated from other probiotic genera, e.g., Lactobacillus, Pediococcus, and Bifidobacterium [85]. In general, the use of cryptic plasmids improves some properties of LAB, such as: resistance to bacteriophages, resistance to bacteriocins (e.g., nisin), acquisition of resistance to heavy metals (e.g., cadmium, copper), utilization of other carbon sources (e.g., lactose).…”