Objective Microbial strains with tannin-degrading capabilities were screened from natural samples, and their probiotic properties were systematically evaluated.Methods Three Lactobacillus plantarum strains (Y1, Y20, Y22) and Meyerozyma caribbica Y3 exhibiting high tanninase activity are selected. Probiotic characteristics including growth characteristics, antioxidant capacity, bile salt tolerance, and cholesterol degradation efficiency are investigated. Safety profiles were determined through hemolytic activity assays and standard antibiotic susceptibility testing.Results The experimental data reveal that M. caribbica Y3 demonstrates remarkable antioxidant activities, with a superoxide anion scavenging rate of 95.25% in cell supernatants and a hydroxyl radical scavenging rate of 63.43% in extracts after cell wall disruption. Furthermore, its DPPH radical scavenging rate significantly surpasses the co-evaluated L. plantarum Strains. Within the environment of bile salts, this strain maintains a maximal survival rate of 158.82% and degrades 46.52% of the cholesterol, and it does not exhibit hemolytic activity. The antibiotic susceptibility test indicates that it has inherent resistance to conventional bacterial antibiotics.Conclusion These findings suggest that M. caribbica Y3 holds promise as a candidate for functional fermented products with probiotic effects due to its exceptional antioxidative capacity, gastrointestinal adaptability, and biosafety.