Abstract
High serum cholesterol is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), leading to many fatalities. Traditional palm wine (Elaeis guineensis) and corn beer are noted as potential sources of probiotic bacteria with cholesterol lowering activity. In this study, we isolated and characterised lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with probiotic and cholesterol lowering properties from these sources. The isolates were identified using API 50 CHL kit and sequencing of 16 S rRNA gene. A hypercholesterolemia model involving three groups of eighteen diet-induced Wistar albino rats was established, and the serum lipid profile was analysed using biochemical kits. The genotypic identification of two best cholesterol lowering LAB revealed that they were strains of Levilactobacillus brevis and Enterococcus faeccium. Their 16 S r RNA gene sequences were deposited in NCBI genbank with the accension numbers ON454506 and ON908682 respectively. These isolates effectively lowered LDL-c and increased HDL-c in rat sera, which are the main risk factors for CVD. These probiotics are potential candidates for functional foods formulation against hypercholesterolemia.