{
  "abstract": "Enterococcus species are ubiquitous members of the human microbiota, but their potential to act as opportunistic pathogens requires careful, strain-specific safety assessment. This study characterized Enterococcus faecium ED22 using a polyphasic approach combining whole-genome sequencing (WGS) with in vitro phenotypic assays. The strain was initially identified by MALDI-TOF/MS and subsequently confirmed by WGS. Genomic analyses included genome assembly and annotation, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and virulence-associated gene screening, plasmid characterization. Functional characterization included antibacterial and antifungal activity, DPPH radical-scavenging activity, gastrointestinal tolerance, and aggregation assays, while hemolytic and gelatinase activities were evaluated as safety-related traits. ED22 exhibited detectable antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus , Escherichia coli , and Pseudomonas aeruginosa , with proteinase K-sensitive activity suggesting a contribution of proteinaceous antimicrobial compounds. Antifungal activity was observed against Trichophyton rubrum , but not Candida albicans . Fermented milk containing ED22 showed DPPH radical-scavenging activity of 66.23 ± 0.38%, together with measurable phenolic and flavonoid contents. ED22 remained viable under simulated gastrointestinal conditions and exhibited auto-aggregation and co-aggregation properties. The strain was non-hemolytic and gelatinase-negative. Genomic screening detected no major acquired vancomycin resistance determinants, key virulence genes, or plasmid-borne AMR genes. A RiPP biosynthetic cluster displayed 66% similarity to enterocin A. These findings support ED22 as a preliminary candidate for probiotic development, though further MIC profiling, genomic validation, plasmid transferability assessment, and in vivo efficacy trials remain essential.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 11,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "Ibtissame Khalid"
    },
    {
      "name": "Fatima Zahra Lafdil"
    },
    {
      "name": "Asmae Sellam"
    },
    {
      "name": "Said Ezrari"
    },
    {
      "name": "Moussa Elayachi"
    },
    {
      "name": "Khaoula Bachiri"
    },
    {
      "name": "Hassane Mekhfi"
    },
    {
      "name": "Ammar Mohammed AL-Farga"
    },
    {
      "name": "Habib Bouazzi"
    },
    {
      "name": "Mustapha Meziane"
    },
    {
      "name": "Bouchra Elguerrouj"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/2cqmcjmg82w1n.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1038/s41598-026-73022-8",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "2cqmcjmg82w1n",
  "issns": [
    "2045-2322"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-73022-8",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "1106|Probiotics and Fermented Foods"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7220465583",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-73022-8_reference.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-05",
  "publisher": "Springer Science and Business Media LLC",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/2cqmcjmg82w1n.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:22Z",
      "native_id": "10.1038/s41598-026-73022-8",
      "source": "crossref",
      "url": "https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-73022-8"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [],
  "title": "Probiotic potential of Enterococcus faecium ED22: evidence from genomic analysis and in vitro characterization",
  "title_text": "Probiotic potential of Enterococcus faecium ED22: evidence from genomic analysis and in vitro characterization",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:22Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/2cqmcjmg82w1n",
  "venue": "Scientific Reports",
  "versions": []
}