Ifeoluwa, Omodesola ODUNUGA2024-10-112024-10-112023-12Kate TurabiaM.Schttps://repository.lcu.edu.ng/handle/123456789/797Skin infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains pose a growing challenge in modern healthcare. There are little comprehensive reports on the antibacterial activity of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) isolated from fermented milk from different locations in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria. The aim of the study is to characterize and evaluate the antibacterial activity of Weissella paramesenteroides, Limosilactobacillus fermentum, and Leuconostoc mesenteroides isolated from traditionally fermented milk against Candida, Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Serratia odorifera, Salmonella, Raoultella ornithinolytica, Aeromonas hydrophilia and some other clinically important bacteria isolated from skin infections. Twenty (20) samples of fresh milk were collected from two cattle-farming areas in Ibadan, namely: New-garage and Ido, and were fermented traditionally. A total of 3 LAB were isolated and screened primarily using agar well diffusion method against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Candida, and 12 other Gram-negative bacterial strains. The LAB strains obtained were identified by conventional and molecular methods, and the antagonistic activity of the LAB isolates against the selected pathogenic bacteria was also assessed. DNA extraction and whole genome sequencing of obtained LAB isolates showed their identities. Crude cell free extracts (bacteriocin) of each of the LAB isolates was obtained by centrifugation and used for antimicrobial susceptibility testing by soft agar overlay methods. This was done singly and in combination with penicillin on the selected strains. LAB isolates showed growth inhibitory activity against the pathogenic strains by agar-well diffusion with Zone Diameter of Inhibition (ZDI) range of 3.67±1.15 – 23.67±1.53mm. Agar overlay method gave ZDI range of 0.67±1.15mm and 17.33±2.52 mm, while the combination of penicillin and Lactic acid bacteria extract showed greater ZDI 19.00±2.65mm – 24.67±4.51mm. Crude extracts of LAB obtained from traditionally fermented milk might be used as a valid therapy for treatments against SSTIs singly or in combination with penicillin. Keywords: Skin and Soft Tissue Infections (SSTIs), Zone Diameter of Inhibition (ZDI), Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB), Penicillin Word Count: 291enSkin and Soft Tissue Infections (SSTIs)Zone Diameter of Inhibition (ZDI)Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB)PenicillinThesis