Biochemical,antimicrobial and molecular characterization of a noncytotoxic bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus plantarum ST71KS

Lactobacillus (Lb.) plantarum ST71KS was isolated from homemade goat feta cheese and identified using biochemical and molecular biology techniques. As shown by Tricine-SDS-PAGE, this lactic acid bacterium produces a bacteriocin (ST71KS) with an estimated molecular weight of 5.0 kDa. Bacteriocin ST71KS was not affected by the presence of α-amylase, catalase and remained stable in a wide range of pH and after treatment with Triton X-100, Triton X-114, Tween 20, Tween 80, NaCl, SDS, urea and EDTA. This bacteriocin also remained active after being heated at 100 °C for 2 h and even after 20 min at 121 °C; however, it was inactivated by proteolitic enzymes. Production of bacteriocin ST71KS reached 6400 AU/mL during stationary growth phase of Lb. plantarum cultivated in MRS at 30 °C and 37 °C. Bacteriocin ST71KS displayed a bactericidal effect against Listeria monocytogenes strains 603 and 607 and did not adsorb to the producer cells. Lb. plantarum ST71KS harbors two bacteriocin genes with homology to plantaricin S and pediocin PA-1. These characteristics indicate that bacteriocin ST71KS is a class IIa bacteriocin. The peptide presented no toxic effect when tested in vitro with kidney Vero cells, indicating safe technological application to control L. monocytogenes in foods.     

Immunity gene pedB enhances production of pediocin PA-1 in naturally resistant Lactococcus lactis strains

Heterologous production of the antilisterial bacteriocin pediocin PA-1 in lactococci is an attractive objective to increase the safety of dairy products. In a previous paper, we developed a system for the heterologous production of the bacteriocin pediocin PA-1 in pediocin-resistant lactococcal hosts through a leader exchange strategy. The system was based on 3 genes, 1 encoding the fusion between the lactococcin A leader and propediocin PA-1, and the other 2 encoding the lactococcin A secretion machinery. In this study, we investigated whether the addition of the pediocin PA-1 immunity gene (pedB) to this system has any effect on pediocin production. Introduction of the plasmid(s) carrying the genes described above into nisinproducing and non-nisinproducing lactococcal hosts led to a significant increase in the production of pediocin compared with the equivalent pedB-devoid systems. In addition, we obtained a nisin-producing strain with the ability to secrete pediocin PA-1 at a level equivalent to that of the parental strain Pediococcus acidilactici 347, which represents a notable improvement over our previous systems.     

Antimicrobial activity of pediocin PA-1 against Oenococcus oeni and other wine bacteria

Pediocin PA-1 is an antimicrobial peptide produced by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) that has been sufficiently well characterised to be used in food industry as a biopreservative. Sulphur dioxide is the traditional antimicrobial agent used during the winemaking process to control bacterial growth and wine spoilage. In this study, we describe the effect of pediocin PA-1 alone and in combination with sulphur dioxide and ethanol on the growth of a collection of 53 oenological LAB, 18 acetic acid bacteria and 16 yeast strains; in addition, production of pediocin PA-1 by Pediococcus acidilactici J347-29 in presence of ethanol and grape must is also reported. Inhibitory concentrations (IC) and minimal bactericide concentrations of pediocin PA-1 were determined against LAB, and revealed a bacteriostatic effect. Oenococcus oeni resulted more sensitive to pediocin PA-1 (IC₅₀ = 19 ng/ml) than the other LAB species (IC₅₀ = 312 ng/ml). Cooperative inhibitory effects of pediocin PA-1 and either sulphur dioxide or ethanol were observed on LAB growth. Moreover, the pediocin PA-1 producing P. acidilactici strain J347-29 was able to grow and produce the bacteriocin in presence of ethanol (up to 4% ethanol in the fermentation broth) and grape must (up to 80%), which indicated that pediocin PA-1 can be considered as a potential biopreservative in winemaking.     

Characterization of bacteriocins produced by two strains of Lactobacillus plantarum isolated from Beloura and Chouriço, traditional pork products from Portugal

Bacteriocins bacST202Ch and bacST216Ch, produced by Lactobacillus plantarum strains isolated from Beloura and Chouriço, respectively, inhibited the growth of a number of Gram-positive and Gram-negative meat spoilage bacteria. According to trycine–SDS–PAGE, bacST202Ch and bacST216Ch are approximately 3.5 and 10.0 kDa in size, respectively. Maximal activity of bacST202Ch (25,600 AU/ml) was recorded after 27 h of and bacST216Ch (102,400 AU/ml) after 22 h of growth. The mode of activity, as determined against Enterococcus faecium HKLHS, is bactericidal. Both peptides adsorb to the surface of the producer cells, but at very low concentrations. Both peptides remained active after 120 min at 100 ^oC and after 2 h of incubation at pH 2.0–12.0. Treatment for 120 min at 121 ^oC did not affect bacST216Ch activity. Activity of bacST202Ch and bacST216Ch was not affected by 1% Triton X-100, Tween 80, Tween 20, SDS, NaCl, urea and EDTA. Bacteriocin ST216Ch was deactivated in the presence of 1% Triton X-114. The nucleotide sequence of a 1044 bp DNA fragment amplified from L. plantarum ST202Ch is identical to the structural gene encoding pediocin PA-1, suggesting that the two bacteriocins are identical. Based on the broad spectrum of antibacterial activity, strains ST202Ch and ST216Ch may be used as starter cultures in the fermentation of meat products.     

Megaplasmid encoding novel sugar utilizing phenotypes,pediocin production and immunity in Pediococcus acidilactici C20

A bacteriocinogenic strain of Pediococcus acidilactici C20 isolated from fowl intestine was found to bear a single megaplasmid. Strain C20 exhibited an ability to ferment a wide range of sugars including lactose, maltose and melibiose. Curing experiments employing novobiocin and high temperature indicated that the genetic determinants for pediocin production, immunity function and utilization of several sugars resided on the megaplasmid. Pediocin production with different sugars was tested and culture filtrate activity varied from 2500 AU ml⁻¹to 3500 AU ml⁻¹at 1% of carbon source. Molecular and biochemical techniques were used to characterize the bacteriocin produced by strain C20. It was found to be a pediocin AcH/PA-1 like bacteriocin with high antilisterial activity.     

Detection of pediocin PA-1-producing pediococci by rapid molecular biology techniques

Five bacteriocinogenic lactic acid bacteria strains (347, X13, Z102, A172 and P20) independently isolated from fermented sausages were identified asPediococcus acidilacticiby carbohydrate fermentation patterns and other biochemical characteristics. This fact, together with their activity againstListeria monocytogenes, suggested that they could be pediocin PA-1 producers. Rapid molecular biology techniques were used to detect the pediocin PA-1 operon in these strains. PCR, dot-blot and Southern hybridization, and DNA sequencing results confirmed that all of them had the genetic determinants for pediocin PA-1 biosynthesis encoded in a 9.4 kb plasmid. The bacteriocin produced byP. acidilactici347 has been purified by a procedure that included ammonium sulphate precipitation and cation exchange, hydrophobic-interaction and reverse-phase chromatography. The amino acid sequence of this bacteriocin was identical to pediocin PA-1, confirming the expression of the pediocin PA-1 genes.     

Application of bacteriocinogenic Enterococcus mundtii CRL35 and Enterococcus faecium ST88Ch in the control of Listeria monocytogenes in fresh Minas cheese

Several strains of Enterococcus spp. are capable of producing bacteriocins with antimicrobial activity against important bacterial pathogens in dairy products. In this study, the bacteriocins produced by two Enterococcus strains (Enterococcus mundtii CRL35 and Enterococcus faecium ST88Ch), isolated from cheeses, were characterized and tested for their capability to control growth of Listeria monocytogenes 426 in experimentally contaminated fresh Minas cheese during refrigerated storage. Both strains were active against a variety of pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms and bacteriocin absorption to various L. monocytogenes, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 19443 and Lactobacillus sakei ATCC 15521 varied according to the strain and the testing conditions (pH, temperature, presence of salts and surfactants). Growth of L. monocytogenes 426 was inhibited in cheeses containing E. mundtii CRL35 up to 12 days at 8 °C, evidencing a bacteriostatic effect. E. faecium ST88Ch was less effective, as the bacteriostatic affect occurred only after 6 days at 8 °C. In cheeses containing nisin (12.5 mg/kg), less than one log reduction was observed. This research underlines the potential application of E. mundtii CRL35 in the control of L. monocytogenes in Minas cheese.     

Bacteriocinogenic Lactobacillus plantarum ST16Pa isolated from papaya (Carica papaya) — From isolation to application: Characterization of a bacteriocin

Strain ST16PA, isolated from papaya was identified as Lactobacillus plantarum based on biochemical tests, PCR with species-specific primers and 16S rDNA sequencing. L. plantarum ST16PA produces a 6.5 kDa bacteriocin, active against different species from genera Enterobacter, Enterococcus, Lactobacillus, Pseudomonas, Streptococcus and Staphylococcus and different serotypes of Listeria spp. The peptide is inactivated by proteolytic enzymes, but not when treated with ??-amylase, catalase, lipase, Triton X-100, SDS, Tween 20, Tween 80, urea, NaCl and EDTA. However, presence of 1% Triton X-114 deactivates the bacteriocin. No change in activity was recorded after 2 h at pH values between 2.0 and 12.0, and after treatment at 100 °C for 120 min or 121 °C for 20 min. The mode of activity against Lactobacillus sakei ATCC 15521, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 19443 and Listeria innocua 2030C was bactericidal, resulting in cell lysis and enzyme-leakage. No significant differences in cell growth and bacteriocin production were observed when strain ST16Pa was cultured in MRS broth at 26 °C and 30 °C for 24 h (25 600 AU/ml). However, even though strain ST16PA grows well in MRS broth at 15 °C and 37 °C, a reduction of bacteriocin production was observed (400 AU/ml and 1600 AU/ml, respectively). In addition, effect of MRS medium components, different initial pH and additions of glycerol or vitamins to the media on bacteriocin ST16Pa production was studied.Peptide ST16PA adsorbs (400 AU/ml) to producer cells. However, bacteriocin ST16Pa was adsorbed at 50% to cells of L. innocua 2030C and at 75% to L. sakei ATCC 15521 and E. faecalis ATCC 19433 when experiments were conducted at 30 °C and pH 6.5. Adsorption of bacteriocin ST16Pa to target cells at different temperatures, pH and in presence of potassium sorbate, sodium nitrate, sodium chloride, ascorbic acid, Tween 80 and Tween 20 were also studied. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on detection of L. plantarum in papaya.     

Anti-Listeria monocytogenes activity of enterocins microencapsulated by ionic gelation

The encapsulation of enterocins synthesized by Enterococcus faecium CRL1385 through ionic gelation with calcium ions was analyzed. Different enterocins samples were lyophilised and encapsulated using low-methoxyl pectin as the coating material. Lipids present in milk butter were also added to control the release of antimicrobial peptides from the capsules. The morphology of fresh and freeze-dried capsules was examined using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. Antimicrobial activity of encapsulated bacteriocins was assessed against Listeria monocytogenes 01/155 using the agar diffusion technique and direct contact in microplates. The capsules with higher lipid content showed a more spherical and uniform shape. Pathogen inhibition was observed for capsules prepared with different bacteriocin solutions both on solid (halo diameter = 8.5–13.5 mm) and in an aqueous medium (ca. 2 log orders decline in L. monocytogenes viability). The outcomes suggest that bacteriocin encapsulation through ionic gelation can be a potential alternative for the application of these antimicrobial peptides as biopreservatives in food.     

Antilisterial and amylase-sensitive bacteriocin producing Enterococcus faecium SH01 from Mukeunji,a Korean over-ripened kimchi

A bacteriocinogenic strain identified as Enterococcus faecium SH01 was isolated from mukeunji, a Korean traditional over-ripened kimchi with antimicrobial activities against Listeria monocytogenes KCTC 3569 and Lactobacillus curvatus KFRI 166. The maximum bacteriocin titer (1,280 AU/mL) was detected at the early stationary phase and was maintained for 28 h with no activity loss. The bacteriocin activity, which disappeared after treatment with the proteolytic enzymes α-chymotrypsin, pronase E, proteinase K, and trypsin, was partially inactivated using α-amylase. The activity of bacteriocin SH01 remained after heat treatment (121°C, 15 min) and exposure to pH values from 2–12. The molecular weight of crude bacteriocin SH01 was 3 kDa. The bacteriocin production phenotype (Bac⁺) was linked to a 6 kb plasmid. Bacteriocin SH1 production was not induced by the co-presence of viable cells, heat treatment, or a cell-free indicator supernatant. The mode of action of bacteriocin SH1 was bactericidal.     

PCR-mediated site-directed mutagenesis on PedB gene and HaeIII restriction as a rapid tool for discrimination among pediocin AcH/PA-1 producer strains

Nucleotide sequences of amplified pedB genes from Pediococcus parvulus andLactobacillus plantarum pediocin AcH/PA-1 producer strains were performed. The obtained data were aligned with the published Pediococcus acidilactici pedB sequence, showing a single base substitution in the third codon position of a putative serine. A PCR-mediated site directed mutagenesis on pedB gene, followed by Hae III restriction analysis was then carried out with the aim to rapidly discriminate among pediocin AcH/PA-1 producer strains of different species.     

乳酸片球菌素PA-1在大肠杆菌中的表达与纯化

为了实现该细菌素的外源表达,本实验首先利用聚合酶链式反应从乳酸片球菌PAF中扩增出乳酸片球菌素PA-1的结构和免疫基因,然后克隆到表达载体pGEX-6p-1,构建了N端含有GST-His-DDDDK标签的重组质粒pGEX/his-pedAB,然后转化进入大肠杆菌Rosetta（DE3）感受态细胞,经异丙基硫代半乳糖苷诱导,重组乳酸片球菌素PA-1在大肠杆菌胞内成功表达。表达的融合蛋白先经过镍亲合层析柱纯化,然后注入谷胱甘肽S-转移酶亲和色谱柱用肠激酶处理,释放出成熟的乳酸片球菌素PA-1。利用高效液相色谱和质谱技术检测乳酸片球菌素PA-1纯度。以单核细胞增生李斯特氏菌CMCC54004为指示菌,利用琼脂扩散法检验乳酸片球菌素PA-1活性。结果表明,携带GST-His-DDDDK标签的融合蛋白无活性,标签切除后其抑菌活性恢复,且其纯度达90%以上。     

Production,mode of action and sequencing of the corresponding gene of a bacteriocin produced by Lactococcus lactis 19.3

Lactococcus lactis 19.3 produces a bacteriocin with a wide inhibitory spectrum, including the food pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. The producing strain was able to grow and produce similar amounts of bacteriocin in MRS medium, cow's milk and soya milk, respectively. The mode of action of this bacteriocin was further investigated using two indicator strains, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus LMG 6901^T and Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 1911‐1. The bacteriocin displayed a bactericidal effect, causing a rapid decrease of the cell viability. Bacteriocin treatment of the sensitive strains resulted in major morphological changes, including pore formation, as shown by scanning electron microscopy. Finally, the bacteriocin‐encoding gene was identified by sequencing. The presence of nisin gene was confirmed. Based on all our data gathered so far, L. lactis 19.3 is a good candidate for a starter or protective culture in the manufacturing of both fermented dairy and vegetarian food products.     

High-salt brines compromise autoinducer-mediated bacteriocinogenic Lactobacillus plantarum survival in Spanish-style green olive fermentations

The effect of NaCl on plantaricin production by five Lactobacillus plantarum strains was investigated. Plantaricin production in these strains was found to be regulated by three-component regulatory systems ruled by two different autoinducer peptides (AIPs), either PLNC8IF or Plantaricin A. Bacteriocin activity exhibited by these strains came to a halt in liquid medium containing NaCl concentrations of or above 2%. In contrast, bacteriocin activity was still observed when the producing strains were growing on solid medium containing up to 4% NaCl. Bacteriocin activity in liquid medium containing up to 2% NaCl could be restored by coculturing the producing strains with a selected plantaricin-production inducing strain of Lactococcus lactis. Growth of these bacteriocinogenic L. plantarum strains was monitored in traditional Spanish-style green olive fermentations. Survival of these strains could not be enhanced when provided with a range of plantaricin-production inducing mechanisms previously described, such as constitutive AIP production or coinoculation with a specific bacteriocin-production inducing strain of L. lactis. Our results suggest that it is advisable the use of constitutive bacteriocin producers, or at least non-AIP-dependant ones, as starters for olive fermentations due to the intrinsic physical characteristics of this food fermentation, especially the high salt concentration of the brines currently used.     

Coculture with specific bacteria enhances survival of Lactobacillus plantarum NC8, an autoinducer-regulated bacteriocin producer,in olive fermentations

Bacteriocin production in Lactobacillus plantarum NC8 is activated by coculture with specific bacteriocin production-inducing bacterial strains. The system is further regulated by a three-component regulatory system involving a specific autoinducer peptide (PLNC8IF). We have used L. plantarum NC8 as a starter culture in Spanish-style green olive fermentations and examined the influence of coculturing in its survival. We found that L. plantarum NC8 greatly enhanced its growth and survival in the olive fermentations when coinoculated with two specific bacteriocin-production inducing strains, i.e. Enterococcus faecium 6T1a-20 and Pediococcus pentosaceus FBB63, when compared to singly-inoculated fermentations. In addition, a constitutive bacteriocin-producer NC8-derivative strain was used as a control in the olive fermentations and showed also better viability than the parental NC8 strain. Our results suggest the involvement of bacteriocin production in the viability enhancement found in both cases. We postulate that the presence of specific bacteria is recognized by L. plantarum NC8 as an environmental stimulus to switch a specific adaptive response on, most probably involving bacteriocin production. The design of novel bacteriocin-producing starter cultures for food fermentations should consider their constitutive versus regulated character.     

Purification and partial characterization of antilisterial bacteriocin produced by Pediococcus pentosaceus KJBC11 from Idli batter fermented with Piper betle leaves

Bacteriocins are natural antimicrobial agents mainly act against closely related bacteria and at times unrelated organisms including various food spoilage and pathogenic organisms. Bacteriocins from Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) have been widely used for food preservation because of their safety nature. In this study, bacteriocin from Pediococcus pentosaceus KJBC11 was purified with the recovery of 15%, using cell adsorption‐desorption technique, gel permeation chromatography, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, and reversed phase HPLC successively. Molecular weight of bacteriocin KJBC11 was determined to be 4.5 kDa using Tricine SDS‐PAGE. The bacteriocin KJBC11 showed strong inhibitory activity against various Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative pathogens. Bacteriocin KJBC11 activity was not altered when treated with amylase, lipase, and trypsin but inactivated by protease and proteinase enzyme treatment. It was heat stable (100°C, 1 hr) and exhibited strong antimicrobial activity within the pH 3–7. Its mode of action was bactericidal in nature as revealed against Listeria monocytogenes showing leakage of internal contents out of the cell. Bacteriocin KJBC11 could belong to Class IIa‐pediocin like bacteriocins based on its characteristics as well as the presence of pediocin gene in the genome of the isolate KJBC11.

Practical applications

Studies on Lactic Acid Bacteria and bacteriocin have attracted increasing attention for a long time, due to their established role in food fermentation and preservation. The antimicrobial properties of bacteriocin became a trademark approach to achieve food safety and to counter the menace of antibiotic resistant pathogens. This study revealed a potent bacteriocin with wide range of antibacterial activity against various foodborne and clinically important pathogens to have potential application in food preservation and biomedicine.     

Purification and characterization of a bacteriocin produced by Leuconostoc mesenteroides E131

Leuconostoc mesenteroides E131, isolated from Greek traditional fermented sausage, prepared without the addition of starters, produces a bacteriocin which is active against the pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. The bacteriocin was purified by 50% ammonium sulphate precipitation, cation exchange, and reverse-phase chromatography. Bacteriocin is active at pH values between 4.0 and 9.0 and retains activity after incubation for 1 h at 100 °C. Proteolytic enzymes inactivated the bacteriocin after 1 h of incubation, while renin resulted in full inactivation only after 24 h. Lipase resulted in full inactivation after 4 h. Applying molecular methods, it was determined that the bacteriocin produced, named as mesenterocin E131, was identical to mesenterocin Y105 and was expressed during the exponential growth phase.     

Properties and safety aspects of Enterococcus faecium strains isolated from Chungkukjang, a fermented soy product

Enterococcus faecium isolated from Chungkukjang, a Korean traditional fermented soybean food was studied for their functional characteristics as potential new starter culture and safety. Microbiological analysis of ripened Chungkukjang revealed the presence of an enterococcal population in numbers of up to 6 log CFU per g. Seven isolates with higher activity were selected for further study and the strains were identified as E. faecium. The E. faecium strains showed resistance against simulated gastrointestinal conditions such as acidic environment and the presence of bile salts. These strains also showed bile salt hydrolase activity but neither hemolytic activity nor virulence determinant such as gelE and efaAfm. All strains were susceptible to glycopeptides and lacked potential as vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). Two strains, S2C10 and S2C11, showed inhibited the viability of Listeria monocytogenes in vitro. The ability was probably due to the production of bacteriocin. The lipase activity influenced the stability, while either acidic condition or high temperature did not play a significant role in the activity of the antimicrobial substances. The strains also produced thermostable listericidal antimicrobial substance. For this reason, the strains could be used as selected starters or protective cultures in soybean fermented food production.     

Isolation and characterisation of the bacteriocin-producing Leuconostoc citreum HW02 from malts

Herein, a lactic acid bacterium which produces bacteriocin was isolated from malted barley. The isolated strain was identified by 16 S rRNA analysis and designated Leuconostoc citreum HW02. Bacteriocin HW02 was shown to have growth inhibition against health-threatening Gram-positive microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Latilactobacillus curvatus. Bacteriocin HW02 was reported to be incapable of inhibiting the growth of health-threatening microorganisms after treatment with proteolytic enzymes; thus, it was indicated that bacteriocin is proteinaceous in nature. Bacteriocin HW02 showed stability against a broad range of temperatures (60–121 °C), pH (2–10), various detergents, or organic solvents. Its antimicrobial activity against the indicator strain, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NCDO 955, was maximised (320 AU mL⁻¹) midway through the stationary phase at 12 h. The crude bacteriocin HW02 molecular weight was estimated to be about 7.7 kDa. After the treatment of the indicator strain with bacteriocin, the maintenance of the optical density of the culture, the morphological analysis of cell-structure abnormalities, and cell shrinkage implied that bacteriocin showed bactericidal activity.