Lactiplantibacillus plantarum

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum

1. Identity, Nomenclature, and Classification

Current accepted name: Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (Orla-Jensen 1919) Zheng et al. 2020.
Former names: Lactobacillus plantarum (Orla-Jensen 1919) Bergey et al. 1923; Lactobacillus arabinosus Fred et al.; Streptobacterium plantarum Orla-Jensen 1919 (basonym).
Abbreviations in common use: L. plantarum, Lpb. plantarum.

The species was originally described as Streptobacterium plantarum by Orla-Jensen in 1919 and was formally reclassified by Zheng et al. in 2020 in a comprehensive taxonomic revision published in International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology (2020; 70:2782–2858). The current taxonomy of the Lactiplantibacillus plantarum group comprises 17 closely related species that are indistinguishable from each other by commonly used 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

The full taxonomic hierarchy places the organism within: cellular organisms → Bacteria → Bacillati → Bacillota → Bacilli → Lactobacillales → Lactobacillaceae → Lactiplantibacillus → Lactiplantibacillus plantarum → Lactiplantibacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum. The type strain carries multiple culture-collection designations, including ATCC 14917, DSM 20174, JCM 1149, LMG 6907, NRRL B-4496, and NCTC 13644.

Morphological and Physiological Characteristics

The organism is a Gram-positive, bacillus-shaped bacterium; individual cells are rods with rounded ends, straight, generally 0.9–1.2 μm wide and 3–8 μm long, occurring singly, in pairs, or in short chains. It is a straight-rod-shaped (bacillus), Gram-positive, nonmotile, nonspore-forming, microaerophilic, mesophilic bacterium. The species is homofermentative and aerotolerant, grows at 15 °C but not at 45 °C, and produces both enantiomers of lactic acid (D and L). It is estimated to grow between pH 3.4 and 8.8 and can grow in the temperature range 12 °C to 40 °C.

Many lactobacilli, including L. plantarum, are unusual in that they can respire oxygen and express cytochromes if heme and menaquinone are present in the growth medium; in the absence of these cofactors, oxygen is consumed by NADH-peroxidase with hydrogen peroxide as intermediate and water as end product.

Genome

The 3,308,274-bp chromosome of the model strain WCFS1, a single colony isolate of strain NCIMB 8826 originally isolated from human saliva, contains 3,052 predicted protein-encoding genes, of which putative biological functions could be assigned to 2,120 (70%). L. plantarum has one of the largest genomes known among the lactic acid bacteria and is considered a very flexible and versatile species.

The WCFS1 genome contains two large variable regions — one of approximately 150 kb and one of 190 kb — termed "lifestyle islands," since they collectively encode 293 genes mainly involved in sugar degradation. The species can grow on a wide variety of sugar sources; this phenotypic trait is reflected by the high number of genes encoding putative sugar transporters, including 25 complete PTS enzyme II complexes, a number exceeded only by Listeria monocytogenes among well-characterized organisms.

Pan-genome analysis of 127 complete L. plantarum genomes identified 1,436 core, 414 soft-core, 1,858 shell, and 13,203 cloud genes, highlighting the open nature of the species' pan-genome.

Natural Sources and Common Forms

The organism is a widespread member of the genus Lactiplantibacillus and is commonly found in many fermented food products as well as anaerobic plant matter. It is a versatile facultative heterofermentative lactic acid bacterium found in vegetables, meat, fish, and dairy products, as well as the gastrointestinal tract.

Foods in which L. plantarum naturally occurs include pickles, sauerkraut, Korean kimchi, brined olives, sourdough bread, Nigerian ogi, and various fermented fruits and vegetables, as well as specific varieties of cheese, fermented sausages, and stockfish. Table olives are one of the oldest and most popular fermented foods produced principally in the Mediterranean area; their main isolates, Lpb. pentosus and Lpb. plantarum, may be found in quantities of around 10⁸ CFU/g.

L. plantarum was first isolated from saliva, and based on its ability to temporarily persist in plants, the insect intestine, and in the intestinal tract of vertebrate animals, it was designated as a nomadic organism.

Common commercial preparations include:

• Freeze-dried or lyophilized capsules and tablets, where viable cell counts are expressed in colony-forming units (CFU).
• Probiotic powders for reconstitution in foods or beverages.
• Fermented food products (sauerkraut, kimchi, table olives, sourdough, kefir) in which L. plantarum naturally occurs as part of the microbiome or is added as a starter culture.
• Starter cultures for food manufacturing, used in various food fermentation processes contributing to organoleptic properties, flavor, and texture; and due to production of lactic acid and other antimicrobial compounds, also contributing to the safety of final products.

2. Traditional and Historical Use

Lactic acid bacteria have been used for centuries for feed and food fermentation. Fermented foods have traditionally been valued by many cultures for their health benefits and even therapeutic properties. Although L. plantarum as a species was not formally described until 1919, the fermented foods in which it predominates have exceedingly long histories across multiple civilizations.

L. plantarum has a long history of being used in the fermentation of dairy, meat, and vegetables, and it is one of the most commonly found Lactobacillus species, recognized as a food-grade organism for a long time.

In Central and Eastern Europe, the spontaneous fermentation of vegetables — particularly cabbages, cucumbers, and beets — with salt-tolerant lactic acid bacteria including L. plantarum has been practiced for at least two millennia, yielding products such as sauerkraut and brine-preserved vegetables consumed both as staple foods and as remedies for digestive complaints. In the Mediterranean region, table olives are among the oldest and most popular fermented foods, consumed across the Mediterranean area including Italy, Spain, and Greece. In East Asia, vegetable fermentation yielding kimchi and related products in Korea, and various Chinese pickled vegetables, represents a parallel tradition thousands of years old.

In Latin America, LAB biodiversity in chicha — a traditional maize-based fermented beverage from Northwestern Argentina — has been studied; many such fermented products, typical of indigenous cultures, are still elaborated in different countries and regions of the world, frequently in isolated communities, maintained as home production through artisanal processes.

Traditionally, fermented foods have been valued by many cultures for their health benefits and even therapeutic properties. Consumers worldwide are becoming increasingly aware of the relationship between fermented food and health, and the markets for so-called "functional foods" have been growing in recent years.

It is important to note that in all pre-modern uses, L. plantarum was never explicitly identified or intentionally added as a pure culture; it was an intrinsic component of spontaneously fermented foods. The species was not identified in isolation until the early twentieth century, and its probiotic use as a defined strain for health applications is entirely a modern, post-1990s development.

3. Key Constituents and Active Compounds

Primary Metabolites

The genome of L. plantarum encodes all enzymes required for the glycolysis and phosphoketolase pathways, and the organism encodes a large pyruvate-dissipating potential leading to various end products of fermentation. The primary metabolic end-product is lactic acid (both D- and L-enantiomers), which acidifies the environment and confers antimicrobial and food-preserving properties.

Bacteriocins and Antimicrobial Peptides

Strains of L. plantarum have been identified from many traditional foods and characterized for their enzyme systems (including α-amylase, esterase, lipase, α-glucosidase, β-glucosidase, enolase, phosphoketolase, lactate dehydrogenase) and bioactive compounds such as bacteriocins, dipeptides, and other preservative compounds.

Bacteriocins produced by L. plantarum are effective against several pathogenic bacteria, including clinically relevant pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes, which accounts for approximately 50% of the bacteria against which reported bacteriocins show activity. Notable individual bacteriocins include plantaricins EF and JK — two-peptide bacteriocins — and the induction factor plantaricin A, first characterized from strain C11.

Genome mining through the BAGEL4 and antiSMASH databases has revealed, in individual strains, four bacteriocins in a single cluster and four regions of biosynthetic gene clusters responsible for the production of bioactive compounds. Modified bacteriocins such as lanthipeptides, cyclized peptides, sactipeptides, linear azol(in)e-containing peptides, lasso peptides, and glycosylated bacteriocins are being investigated as next-generation antimicrobials.

Other Bioactive Metabolites

Metabolomic analyses of L. plantarum strains have detected compounds including benzoic acid, phenyllactic acid, and 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)lactic acid, which have been associated with antimicrobial and health-related activities. As part of the broader psychobiotic literature, probiotic bacteria including L. plantarum strains produce neuromodulatory metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), neurotransmitters (e.g., GABA and serotonin), and indole derivatives that influence the gut–brain axis.

Characterization of specific strains has also identified the ability to produce vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and vitamin B9 (folates), in addition to antimicrobial properties.

Established Mechanisms of Probiotic Action

The mechanisms by which probiotic bacteria including L. plantarum mediate health benefits are: (1) modulation of commensal microbiota; (2) exclusion or inhibition of pathogens; (3) enhancement of the intestinal epithelial barrier by increasing mucin production and tight junction formation; (4) modulation of the immune system; and (5) production of bioactive molecules.

In experimental models, L. plantarum administration has alleviated colitis by reducing disease activity indices, suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β), and mitigating colonic tissue damage while preserving epithelial barrier integrity.

Strains have been shown to modulate innate immune pathways, particularly by dampening TLR-mediated NF-κB activation. Immunomodulatory function has been validated in multiple studies; for example, L. plantarum KLDS1.0318 protects the intestinal immune compartment in mice, possibly by modulating the Th1/Th2 balance.

The mechanism of action of L. plantarum in the context of the gut–brain axis includes regulation of neurotransmitter levels, particularly serotonin and GABA, and the production of SCFAs.

4. Scientific Evidence by Area of Use

4.1 Gastrointestinal Health — Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

IBS is the most extensively studied clinical application for L. plantarum. Evidence is mixed, and several strain-specific trials have been conducted.

Positive RCT evidence (Lpla33): To investigate the clinical efficacy of L. plantarum Lpla33 (DSM34428), a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center, dose-ranging study was conducted. Three hundred and seven adults aged 18–70 years with diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D) according to Rome IV criteria were allocated 1:1:1 to receive placebo or L. plantarum Lpla33 at 1 × 10⁹ (1B) or 1 × 10¹⁰ (10B) CFU/day over an 8-week intervention period, with the primary outcome being the change in IBS-SSS total score. L. plantarum Lpla33 was well-tolerated and improved IBS symptom severity with a dose-ranging effect and corresponding normalization of bowel habits in adults with IBS-D. The study was funded by Chr. Hansen A/S, a manufacturer of the strain, which is a conflict-of-interest limitation.

Positive RCT evidence (GTB1™, isolated from green tea): A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated L. plantarum APsulloc 331261 (GTB1™) from green tea leaves in 27 participants meeting Rome IV diagnostic criteria, randomized for GTB1 or placebo ingestion for four weeks. Of all participants, 94.4% and 62.5% reported global relief of symptoms in the GTB1 and placebo groups, respectively (p = 0.037); GTB1 significantly reduced the severity and frequency of abdominal pain, bloating, and feeling of incomplete evacuation, and frequencies of diarrhea decreased −45.89% and −26.76% in the GTB1 and placebo groups respectively (p = 0.045). This study was small (n = 27) and thus has limited statistical power.

Negative RCT evidence (299v strain): One randomized, placebo-controlled trial assessed the symptomatic efficacy of L. plantarum 299v for relief of abdominal pain in IBS patients fulfilling Rome II criteria; participants received two capsules at 5 × 10⁹ CFU per capsule daily for 8 weeks, with severity assessed by visual analog scale. There was no significant difference in abdominal pain relief between study and placebo groups (P = 0.800). Both groups had significant improvement in abdominal pain scores over the study period, indicating a large placebo effect; an 8-week treatment with L. plantarum 299v did not provide symptomatic relief for abdominal pain and bloating in patients fulfilling the Rome II criteria.

Positive RCT evidence (299v, separate study): In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-design study in which 214 IBS patients were randomized to receive either one capsule of L. plantarum 299v (DSM 9843) or placebo daily for four weeks, both pain severity (0.68 ± 0.53 vs. 0.92 ± 0.57, P < 0.05) and daily frequency (1.01 ± 0.77 vs. 1.71 ± 0.93, P < 0.05) were lower with L. plantarum 299v.

Evidence summary: Probiotics have shown promise in alleviating symptoms of diarrhea-predominant IBS, however the certainty of evidence is low, and well-powered randomized controlled dose-ranging trials are warranted. The findings across 299v trials in particular are contradictory. From a regulatory standpoint, the US FDA and EFSA have not attributed the administration of probiotics to preventing or treating any disease, and have not approved health claims related to probiotic administration. Health Canada has, however, approved multi-strain probiotics including L. plantarum (SD5209) combined with other strains as IBS symptom relief products.

4.2 Gastrointestinal Health — Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Gut Barrier Function

Evidence for IBD (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis) is predominantly from preclinical animal models. In vivo experiments with L. plantarum P16 have confirmed its potential to improve ulcerative colitis by protecting intestinal barrier function, inhibiting inflammatory cytokine secretion, promoting production of SCFAs, and regulating gut microbiota. These findings are from a DSS-induced mouse model, and human clinical evidence for IBD remains limited at this time.

4.3 Antimicrobial Activity and Pathogen Exclusion

Probiotic antimicrobials derived from L. plantarum can inhibit the growth of pathogens in the gut, ensuring intestinal homeostasis and contributing to host health, and may represent attractive alternatives to conventional antibiotics with potential in several biomedical applications.

In vitro studies showed that L. plantarum PA21 cell-free supernatant exhibited antimicrobial activity against all nine methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) clinical isolates and three out of 13 Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates tested. These findings are in vitro and do not directly establish clinical antimicrobial efficacy in humans.

In mouse studies, L. plantarum CRL1506 was more efficient than the CRL681 strain at modulating mucosal immunity, with the improved intestinal epithelial defenses and innate immunity induced by both strains increasing clearance of enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) while simultaneously protecting against detrimental inflammation.

4.4 Cardiovascular Health and Lipid Metabolism

Emerging evidence indicates that L. plantarum may contribute to the regulation of blood lipids, although prior studies report inconsistent efficacy and lack mechanistic clarity. A systematic review and meta-analysis identified 26 randomized controlled trials involving 2,104 participants examining the effects of L. plantarum supplementation on lipid profiles.

One human intervention study investigated the cholesterol-reducing capacity of L. plantarum ECGC 13110402, a strain selected for its high bile salt hydrolase activity, in 49 normal to mildly hypercholesterolaemic adults; primary efficacy outcomes included effects on total cholesterol (TC), LDL-C, HDL-C, and triacylglycerides (TAG), inflammatory biomarkers, and gastrointestinal side effects, with the 12-week intervention conducted in a parallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized design concluding with a four-week washout period.

In vitro experiments have demonstrated that L. plantarum N4 exhibited a cholesterol-lowering rate of 50.27% along with significant resistance to acid (87%), bile salt (51.97%), and pepsin (88.28%) in simulated gastrointestinal fluids. These are in vitro values. The proposed mechanism underlying cholesterol modulation involves bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity, which hydrolyzes conjugated bile salts and is believed to promote cholesterol excretion.

Evidence strength: The evidence base for lipid modulation in humans is growing but still considered inconsistent. The multi-study meta-analysis framework provides moderate-quality evidence, but results vary significantly across strains, doses, and populations.

4.5 Mental Health and the Gut–Brain Axis

Systematic review evidence indicates the predominant psychobiotic strains belong to the Lactobacillus (45.5%) and Bifidobacterium (29%) genera, with sources including commercial preparations (24%), human-derived (16%), and food-derived (16%) strains. Lactobacillus plantarum, Bifidobacterium breve, and Akkermansia muciniphila demonstrated particularly promising effects; specific strains of L. plantarum (JYLP-326, CR12, P72, 299v, and GM11) have been shown in numerous studies to be effective in alleviating symptoms of depression, anxiety, and cognitive dysfunction.

Human RCT (anxiety and depression): A study evaluated the potential effects of L. plantarum JYLP-326 on test anxious college students; sixty anxious students were enrolled and randomly allocated to placebo and probiotic groups, both instructed to take products twice per day for three weeks, with anxiety, depression, and insomnia questionnaires used to measure mental states at baseline and study end; results suggested that JYLP-326 administration could relieve symptoms of anxiety, depression, and insomnia in test-anxious students.

In a separate clinical study, supplementation with probiotic L. plantarum 299v improved metabolic disorders and increased the levels of oxidized glycerophosphocholine (oxPC) in patients with major depression.

In a preclinical (mouse) study, L. plantarum CR12 significantly attenuated cognitive and mental deficits in a chronic unpredictable mild stress model, partly explained by reshaped microbiome composition and enhanced SCFA formation in the gut; the authors proposed that L. plantarum as a probiotic could be translated into a novel microbiota-targeted approach for managing metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases.

Evidence strength: Human clinical evidence is preliminary and consists primarily of small, single-center trials. Most mechanistic understanding derives from animal models. The field is rapidly evolving but high-quality, well-powered human trials are still needed.

4.6 Immune Modulation

L. plantarum has been reported in multiple studies to validate its immunomodulatory function. Probiotics help to maintain the homeostasis of the gut microbiota, protect the intestinal mucosal barrier, protect the host from pathogenic microorganisms, improve the body's defense function, and enhance immunity.

For a number of food-origin strains, beneficial effects have been documented in in vitro and in vivo studies as well as human trials. However, doses, time of treatment, and molecular mechanisms have not yet been fully defined, and ongoing studies should evaluate the effectiveness of each probiotic in terms of adequate doses and treatment time for the amelioration of specific diseases, taking into account strain specificity.

Evidence strength: Immunomodulatory effects are well-supported in animal models and in vitro; human clinical evidence is supportive but requires further replication in larger, more uniform trials.

4.7 Oral Health

A systematic review and meta-analysis of probiotic supplementation with L. plantarum evaluated 11,831 records; 135 studies were assessed qualitatively and 18 included in the meta-analysis. The review demonstrated that probiotic supplementation with L. plantarum, either alone or in combination, could significantly improve outcomes for patients with specific medical conditions; meta-analysis revealed notable benefits in periodontal health, evidenced by reduced pocket depth and bleeding on probing (p < 0.001), and in gastroenterological health, marked by significant reductions in abdominal pain (p < 0.001).

L. plantarum 299v, across 69 studies reviewed in a 2025 systematic scoping review, effectively improved gastrointestinal symptoms, enhanced oral health, and reduced systemic inflammation.

Evidence strength: The periodontal evidence from meta-analysis provides moderate support, though the included studies are heterogeneous in design and follow-up duration.

5. Body Systems and Health Areas of Association

• Gastrointestinal system: IBS symptom relief, gut microbiota modulation, intestinal barrier protection, pathogen exclusion, IBD (preclinical evidence).
• Immune system: Innate and adaptive immune modulation (Th1/Th2 balance, NF-κB pathway dampening, IL-10 upregulation, cytokine regulation).
• Cardiovascular system: Cholesterol metabolism via bile salt hydrolase activity; emerging evidence for lipid-lowering effects in human trials.
• Central nervous system / Mental health: Gut–brain axis modulation, SCFA and neurotransmitter production (serotonin, GABA), anxiety and depression-associated symptoms in preliminary human trials.
• Oral cavity: Periodontal health (reduction in pocket depth and bleeding).
• Metabolic system: The probiotic's potential in managing inflammatory bowel diseases, metabolic syndromes, dyslipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, and diabetes has been noted, with mechanisms including modulation of gut microbiota, reduction of inflammation, and improvement in metabolic functions.
• Antimicrobial defense: Production of bacteriocins, organic acids, and hydrogen peroxide active against a range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens.

6. Dosage Forms and Doses Reported in Clinical Studies

L. plantarum is used in research and supplementation in several forms. Doses are expressed as colony-forming units (CFU). The following dosages reflect those specifically reported in cited clinical or regulatory sources:

• L. plantarum Lpla33 (DSM34428): 1 × 10⁹ CFU/day or 1 × 10¹⁰ CFU/day, administered over an 8-week period in adults with IBS-D in a dose-ranging RCT.
• L. plantarum 299v: two capsules at 5 × 10⁹ CFU per capsule (total 10¹⁰ CFU/day) or one capsule daily, for 8 weeks, in IBS trials.
• L. plantarum JYLP-326: product administered twice per day for three weeks to anxious college students.
• In rat safety studies, L. plantarum Dad-13 was introduced orally at a high dose of 10¹¹ CFU/rat/day for 28 days with monitoring of viability, organ weight, and blood biochemistry; no significant adverse effects were observed.
• L. plantarum is available in formulations of up to 1.5 × 10¹⁰ CFU twice a day and is used in various disorders.
• In silage additive applications assessed by EFSA, a proposed minimum concentration of 1 × 10⁹ CFU/kg fresh plant material was used.

Doses, time of treatment, and molecular mechanisms have not yet been fully defined for most indications, and future studies should evaluate the effectiveness of each probiotic strain in terms of adequate doses and treatment time for the amelioration of specific diseases.

7. Safety Considerations

Regulatory Safety Status

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and qualifies for presumption of safety (QPS) status by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The bacterial species L. plantarum is considered by EFSA to be suitable for the qualified presumption of safety (QPS) approach to safety assessment.

Antibiotic Resistance

EFSA announced safety assessment guidance for probiotics focusing on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and made it mandatory to examine susceptibility of all bacterial strains used as feed additives to the most relevant antibiotics; the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) must be determined for nine antibiotics including ampicillin, vancomycin, and tetracycline; resistance higher than EFSA-defined microbiological cut-off values is deemed indicative of acquired resistance, and further genetic information on the basis of AMR is required.

In the case of L. plantarum DSM 34271, the strain's identity was clearly established and it did not show acquired resistance to antibiotics of human and veterinary importance; the EFSA FEEDAP Panel concluded that the preparation is safe for target species, consumers, and the environment.

Occupational and Inhalation Risk

Regarding user safety in the context of industrial handling of L. plantarum preparations, the additive should be considered a skin and respiratory sensitizer, and exposure of users via dermal and respiratory routes is considered a risk.

Risk of Infection in Vulnerable Populations

Several significant risks may potentially occur when probiotics are supplemented in humans, including the risk of infection, impaired metabolism, impaired immunity, and transfer of antibiotic-resistant genes; several studies have reported cases of bacteremia associated with the genus Lactobacillus. The safety of new probiotic strains needs to be studied on a strain-specific basis, as probiotic bacteria are strain-specific in their properties and risks.

Strain Specificity

Different probiotics show different immunomodulatory abilities, and safety profiles are equally strain-dependent. The body of evidence supports that the species as a whole carries a strong general safety record accumulated over centuries of dietary use, but individual commercial strains require individual regulatory and clinical evaluation. From the regulatory standpoint, the US FDA and EFSA have not attributed the administration of probiotics to preventing or treating any disease, and have not approved any health claims related to the administration of probiotics.

Stability Considerations

The viable counts of L. plantarum stored at refrigerated condition (4 °C) remain high, while a considerable reduction in counts is observed when stored at room temperature (25 ± 1 °C). This has practical implications for the shelf life and potency of dietary supplement preparations and informs storage recommendations.

References

• Taxonomy of the Lactiplantibacillus plantarum group and the mutL gene as a discriminatory marker — PMC/PubMed
• List of Prokaryotic Names with Standing in Nomenclature (LPSN): Lactiplantibacillus plantarum
• NCBI Taxonomy Browser: Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (Taxonomy ID 1590)
• Wikipedia: Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (overview and references)
• Health-Promoting Role of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Isolated from Fermented Foods — PMC (2021)
• Lactobacillus plantarum with Functional Properties: An Approach to Increase Safety and Shelf-Life of Fermented Foods — PMC (2018)
• Genomic Insights Into Strains of L. plantarum Isolated From chicha — PMC (2019)
• Complete Genome Sequence of L. plantarum WCFS1 — PMC (2003)
• Lactobacillus plantarum WCFS1 and Its Host Interaction: A Dozen Years After the Genome — PMC (2016)
• Complete Resequencing and Reannotation of the L. plantarum WCFS1 Genome — PMC (2012)
• Comprehensive Pan-Genome Analysis of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Complete Genomes — PMC (2022)
• Bioprospecting Antimicrobials from Lactiplantibacillus plantarum: Key Factors Underlying Its Probiotic Action — PMC (2021)
• Genome Investigation and Functional Annotation of L. plantarum YW11 Revealing Streptin and Ruminococcin-A — PMC (2023)
• Genome Mining of L. plantarum PA21: Insights Into Antimicrobial Potential — PMC (2024)
• Bioprospecting of RiPPs Through Genome Characterization of L. plantarum UTNGt21A — PMC (2022)
• Efficacy and Dose Response of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum in Diarrhea-Predominant IBS — PMC (2023)
• Randomized Clinical Trial: Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum 299v on Symptoms of IBS — PubMed (2014)
• Effect of Oral Intake of L. plantarum APsulloc 331261 (GTB1™) on IBS-D — PMC (2022)
• L. plantarum Strains Modulate Intestinal Innate Immune Response and Resistance to ETEC — PMC (2023)
• Effects of L. plantarum 19-2 on Immunomodulatory Function and Gut Microbiota in Mice — PMC (2022)
• L. plantarum P16 Mitigated Murine Colitis Through Modulation of Immune Response and Gut Microbiota — PMC (2025)
• Effect of Probiotics Containing L. plantarum on Blood Lipids: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis — PMC (2025)
• An In Vivo Assessment of the Cholesterol-Lowering Efficacy of L. plantarum ECGC 13110402 — PMC (2018)
• Effectiveness of Psychobiotics in Psychiatric and Cognitive Disorders: Systematic Review of RCTs — PMC (2024)
• Psychobiotics in Depression: Sources, Metabolites, and Treatment — Systematic Review — PMC (2025)
• Psychobiotic L. plantarum JYLP-326 Relieves Anxiety, Depression, and Insomnia in Test-Anxious College Students — PMC (2023)
• Strain-Specific Therapeutic Potential of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum: A Systematic Scoping Review — PMC (2025)
• Safety Assessment of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Q180 — PMC (2022)
• Safety Assessment of L. plantarum subsp. plantarum Kita-3 Using Sprague–Dawley Rats — PMC (2023)
• EFSA: Safety and Efficacy of L. plantarum NCIMB 30148 as Feed Additive — PMC (2024)
• EFSA: Safety and Efficacy of L. plantarum DSM 34271 as Acidity Regulator Additive — PMC (2025)
• The Benefits and Applications of L. plantarum in Food and Health: A Narrative Review — PMC (2024)
• The Health Benefits of Probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis — Springer/Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins (2024)
• Metabolomic and Functional Profiling of L. plantarum Strains Reveals Distinct Probiotic, Immunomodulatory, and Antimicrobial Signatures — PMC (2025)