Objective The study focuses on the screening of high quality lactic acid bacteria strains and construction of Paocai fermentation strains. Methods Lactic acid bacteria were isolated from Paocai brine using diluted spreading plate and the streak plate. The bacterial species were identified by morphological observation colony observation Gram 's stain physiological and biochemical identification EasylD Lactobacillus biochemical identification kit 16S rDNA gene sequencing and construction of phylogenetic tree. The lactic acid bacteria were tested for salt resistance acid production and antibacterial activity. Results A total of 16 strains of suspected lactic acid bacteria were isolated the colonies were rounded protruding the colours were mostly milky white or white and the bodies were short rods or globules all of which were Gram-positive. After physiological and biochemical identification 4 strains were excluded and 11 strains were finally identified as Lactiplantibacillus plantarum. Strains 4-1 4-2 5-2 and 5-3 had the best acid-producing ability and the decreasing trend of pH value in the first 12 h was significant. With the increase of salinity the growth of Lactobacillus plantarum was inhibited to varying degrees and strain 1-1 had the strongest osmotic pressure tolerance. 11 strains of Lactobacillus plantarum had different inhibitory abilities and strains 3-1 3-3 3-4 3-5 and 4-2 had significant abilities with the greatest inhibitory strengths against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Conclusion Lactiplantibacillus plantarum screened from Paocai brine has great fermentation potential and can be further used as a source of strains for the industrial production of Paocai.