New autochthonous bacterial isolates: probiotic potential and microplastic biodegradation performance

Mina Popović; Darya Tsibulskaya; Nevenka Rajić; Milan Kojić; Lazar Milojević; Aleksandar Nikšić; Luka Dragačević

doi:10.18485/meattech.2026.67.1.5

Mina Popović University Union-Nikola Tesla, Faculty of Ecology and Environmental Protection https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4795-6950
Darya Tsibulskaya Institute of Virology, Vaccines and Sera, Torlak https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9145-7097
Nevenka Rajić University Union-Nikola Tesla, Faculty of Ecology and Environmental Protection https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0761-0912
Milan Kojić Institute of Virology, Vaccines and Sera, Torlak https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5645-750X
Lazar Milojević Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology-Belgrade https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6901-6033
Aleksandar Nikšić University of Belgrade-Faculty of Veterinary Medicine https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3106-4958
Luka Dragačević Institute of Virology, Vaccines and Sera, Torlak https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1662-0493

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18485/meattech.2026.67.1.5

Keywords: Next-generation probiotics, PBAT biodegradation, Whole-genome sequencing

Abstract

Contemporary research prioritizes bacterial consortia that combine probiotic efficacy with environmental detoxification. From this screening, two novel autochthonous isolates — Hafnia alvei UUNT_MP41 and Hafnia paralvei UUNT_MP29 — were selected for their robust probiotic phenotypes and potential to catalyze microplastic biodegradation. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) identified critical functional genetic elements, the tesA and lipR genes, both esterase homologs (of PpEst and EstC9) that have been implicated in polymer breakdown. These findings validate the candidacy of Hafnia alvei UUNT_MP41 and Hafnia paralvei UUNT_MP29 as next-generation, dual-function probiotics, establishing a new paradigm for biotic formulations that offer simultaneous therapeutic and ecological benefits.