Bacteriocin-based strategies for food biopreservation

Bacteriocins are ribosomally-synthesized peptides or proteins with antimicrobial activity, produced by different groups of bacteria. Many lactic acid bacteria (LAB) produce bacteriocins with rather broad spectra of inhibition. Several LAB bacteriocins offer potential applications in food preservation, and the use of bacteriocins in the food industry can help to reduce the addition of chemical preservatives as well as the intensity of heat treatments, resulting in foods which are more naturally preserved and richer in organoleptic and nutritional properties. This can be an alternative to satisfy the increasing consumers demands for safe, fresh-tasting, ready-to-eat, minimally-processed foods and also to develop "novel" food products (e.g. less acidic, or with a lower salt content). In addition to the available commercial preparations of nisin and pediocin PA-1/AcH, other bacteriocins (like for example lacticin 3147, enterocin AS-48 or variacin) also offer promising perspectives. Broad-spectrum bacteriocins present potential wider uses, while narrow-spectrum bacteriocins can be used more specifically to selectively inhibit certain high-risk bacteria in foods like Listeria monocytogenes without affecting harmless microbiota. Bacteriocins can be added to foods in the form of concentrated preparations as food preservatives, shelf-life extenders, additives or ingredients, or they can be produced in situ by bacteriocinogenic starters, adjunct or protective cultures. Immobilized bacteriocins can also find application for development of bioactive food packaging. In recent years, application of bacteriocins as part of hurdle technology has gained great attention. Several bacteriocins show additive or synergistic effects when used in combination with other antimicrobial agents, including chemical preservatives, natural phenolic compounds, as well as other antimicrobial proteins. This, as well as the combined use of different bacteriocins may also be an attractive approach to avoid development of resistant strains. The combination of bacteriocins and physical treatments like high pressure processing or pulsed electric fields also offer good opportunities for more effective preservation of foods, providing an additional barrier to more refractile forms like bacterial endospores as well. The effectiveness of bacteriocins is often dictated by environmental factors like pH, temperature, food composition and structure, as well as the food microbiota. Foods must be considered as complex ecosystems in which microbial interactions may have a great influence on the microbial balance and proliferation of beneficial or harmful bacteria. Recent developments in molecular microbial ecology can help to better understand the global effects of bacteriocins in food ecosystems, and the study of bacterial genomes may reveal new sources of bacteriocins.     

Current Applications and Future Trends of Lactic Acid Bacteria and their Bacteriocins for the Biopreservation of Aquatic Food Products

This review emphasizes the importance of novel biopreservation strategies and their application to ensure seafood quality and safety especially within the context of increasing demand for minimally processed aquatic food products. The paper addresses the major hazards linked to spoilage and pathogenic bacteria found in fresh and processed aquatic foods, mainly ready-to-eat seafood subjected to short-term storage, and the biological strategies that can be used to minimize their growth. This is followed by an overview of current knowledge about the inhibiting bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria isolated from aquatic food products or that is being evaluated for ensuring safety on seafood and seafood products as well as the characteristics of their bacteriocins. The different strategies for the biopreservation of aquatic food products, such as protective cultures or spray drying, and their current and future applications for the preservation of seafood products are also explored. Finally, novel antimicrobial active and intelligent packaging strategies based on antimicrobials film allowing controlled release of bacteriocins to refrigerated aquatic food products are also discussed.     

Preservation and fermentation: past,present and future

Preservation of food and beverages resulting from fermentation has been an effective form of extending the shelf-life of foods for millennia. Traditionally, foods were preserved through naturally occurring fermentations, however, modern large scale production generally now exploits the use of defined strain starter systems to ensure consistency and quality in the final product. This review will mainly focus on the use of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) for food improvement, given their extensive application in a wide range of fermented foods. These microorganisms can produce a wide variety of antagonistic primary and secondary metabolites including organic acids, diacetyl, CO2 and even antibiotics such as reuterocyclin produced by Lactobacillus reuteri. In addition, members of the group can also produce a wide range of bacteriocins, some of which have activity against food pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes and Clostridium botulinum. Indeed, the bacteriocin nisin has been used as an effective biopreservative in some dairy products for decades, while a number of more recently discovered bacteriocins, such as lacticin 3147, demonstrate increasing potential in a number of food applications. Both of these lactococcal bacteriocins belong to the lantibiotic family of posttranslationally modified bacteriocins that contain lanthionine, beta-methyllanthionine and dehydrated amino acids. The exploitation of such naturally produced antagonists holds tremendous potential for extension of shelf-life and improvement of safety of a variety of foods.     

Bacteriocins of lactic acid bacteria: Their potentials as food biopreservative

Abstract

Numerous strains of lactic acid bacteria used in the fermentation of foods are known to produce bacteriocins. In general, bacteriocins are a group of proteinaceous antimicrobial substances that inhibit the growth of closely related bacteria. However, some bacteriocins produced by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) exhibit a relatively broad antimicrobial spectrum and are active against several food‐spoilage and health‐threatening microorganisms. Many investigators have reported on the use of bacteriocins as food preservative to extend the shelflife of various foods. This review decribes the research that has been conducted on bacteriocinogenic lactic acid bacteria— isolated from a wide variety of foods and in some instances of animal origin—and the characteristics of bacteriocins. Special emphasis is placed on their potentials for use as food preservative and on their physicochemical nature, antibacterial spectrum, and genetic behavior.     

乳酸菌拮抗食源性致病菌的研究及应用进展

食品在生产加工、物流运输和贮存消费过程中均可能出现被食源性致病菌污染的风险,造成安全隐患,目前通过热加工、辐照、电解水和等离子体等方法来控制食品中食源性致病菌,但在食品感官、规模化应用和安全生产等方面存在部分缺点.乳酸菌因其丰富的生物活性常作为生物发酵剂和保鲜剂广泛应用于食品中,并且可在食品中拮抗致病菌.本文主要从竞争...     

Preserving non-fermented refrigerated foods with microbial cultures—a review

The use of microbial cultures offers a natural temperature-responsive preservation method. The inhibition at refrigeration temperatures is associated with production of low molecular weight compounds including lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide and bacteriocins. Bacteriocin-producing cultures are not effective against Gram-negative bacteria and special strategies are needed. The role of intrinsic and extrinsic factors in the antibiosis is reviewed with the examples in a range of refrigerated foods. The suggested protocol for practical applications includes the selection of cultures, screening in microbiological media, trials in food and the strategies to enhance the inhibitory effect.     

Models and mechanisms for bacteriocin action and application

There is considerable research on bacteriocin genetics, purification, and properties. Less is known about the mechanism(s) by which bacteriocins kill pathogens, the physical chemistry of the bacteriocin/pathogen interaction, and of the variables which influence bacteriocins' efficacy in foods. Such knowledge is prerequisite to the wider applications of bacteriocins and to increasing their efficacy by genetic engineering. Mechanistic studies using spores as bacteriocin targets are relatively few. Empirical challenge studies in a variety of foods have had mixed results. Working with well defined model foods, we have determined that increasing protein or phospholipid concentrations decrease nisin 's effectiveness against Clostridium botulinum growth from spore inocula. Nisin is also less effective at abuse compared to refrigerated temperatures. This may be a general characteristic of bacteriocins since increasing temperature decreases many bacteriocins' inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes in foods. L. monocytogenes vegetative cells provide a better target for bacteriocin action than do C. botulinum spores. Bacteriocins dissipate proton motive force (PMF) in L. monocytogenes, C. sporogenes and vegetative cells of other sensitive species. The cytoplasmic membrane is generally considered to be the site at which bacteriocins act. We have adopted fluorescence spectroscopy to characterize the interaction of bacteriocins with liposomes comprised of lipids extracted from L. monocytogenes membranes. The regulatory status of bacteriocins, various models for bacteriocin action, and future prospects for their application are also discussed.     

Bacteriocins: Biological tools for bio-preservation and shelf-life extension

The lactococcal bacteriocin named nisin (or group N inhibitory substance) was first marketed in England in 1953 and since then has been approved for use in over 48 countries. The successful development of nisin from an initial biological observation through regulatory approval to commercial application is a model that has stimulated significant resurgence in bacteriocin research in recent years, but similar success is yet to be repeated on the same scale. In spite of this sobering fact, we remain convinced that bacteriocins can be exploited in foods in a variety of imaginative and commercially significant applications in bio-preservation and shelf-life extension. However, in order to fully realise this potential, it is necessary to understand the biology of bacteriocins; in particular, to elucidate structure–function relationships, production, immunity, regulation and mode of action. In this paper, we will discuss some of the advances, made mainly with other lactococcal bacteriocins, in improving food safety, food quality and preventing food spoilage.     

Bacteriocins as food preservatives: Challenges and emerging horizons

ABSTRACT

The increasing demand for fresh-like food products and the potential health hazards of chemically preserved and processed food products have led to the advent of alternative technologies for the preservation and maintenance of the freshness of the food products. One such preservation strategy is the usage of bacteriocins or bacteriocins producing starter cultures for the preservation of the intended food matrixes. Bacteriocins are ribosomally synthesized smaller polypeptide molecules that exert antagonistic activity against closely related and unrelated group of bacteria. This review is aimed at bringing to lime light the various class of bacteriocins mainly from gram positive bacteria. The desirable characteristics of the bacteriocins which earn them a place in food preservation technology, the success story of the same in various food systems, the various challenges and the strategies employed to put them to work efficiently in various food systems has been discussed in this review. From the industrial point of view various aspects like the improvement of the producer strains, downstream processing and purification of the bacteriocins and recent trends in engineered bacteriocins has also been briefly discussed in this review.     

STUDIES ON SOME TECHNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF PREDOMINANT LACTIC ACID BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM NIGERIAN FERMENTED FOODS

In a programme to develop starter cultures for improving the safety and quality of traditional fermented foods in Africa, a study was conducted on lactic acid bacterial (LAB) strains isolated from the traditional selected Nigerian fermented foods kunun-zaki, wara, nono, iru. The LAB strains representing the dominating population of each product, were identified as Enterococcus faecalis (1), Pediococcus pentosaceus (4), and Lactobacillus fermentum (19). All the strains grew at 450°C, an observation which could be attributed to the tropical environment of the fermented foods. They produced a moderate spectrum of enzymes of relevance to food processing, and exhibited similar patterns of enzymatic activity between species, but generally showed weak esterase and lipase activities as compared with peptidases. While no proteinase activity was detected, most strains showed high galactosidase activity. Two strains showed ability to degrade phytic acid. None of the strains produced any detectable bacteriocins or biogenic amines under the test conditions used, and all were unable to hydrolyse bile salt. Eleven (45.8%) of the strains coagulated skim milk at 30°C within 24-36 h, and at 37°C within 12-20 h together with a moderate drop in pH. The results are discussed to highlight the relevance of technological features of starter cultures in food processing in the African environment.     

Membrane-active bacteriocins to control Salmonella in foods: Are they the definite hurdle?

According to recent surveys salmonellosis is the main disease caused by foodborne microorganisms in many countries. Although traditional methods to control bacterial contamination in food are effective in controlling Salmonella, a major problem arises with fresh and organic food demanded by the market with little preparation and no chemical additives. Besides the development of new technologies that combine soft physical and chemical treatments in a way that causes minimal changes in food properties, antimicrobial peptides derived from natural sources are presented as an interesting alternative to chemical preservatives. There are many bacteriocins active against Salmonella and they could be used in the food industry alone or in combination with other hurdles to increase the anti-Salmonella effect in the so-called hurdle technology. However, further studies are necessary to demonstrate the safety of new bacteriocins and to improve their activity in different environmental conditions encountered during food processing. Moreover, nisin and pediocin PA-1 already approved as food preservatives by various government agencies, can be used along with other hurdles to control the pathogen in foods. In this paper the use of bacteriocins as hurdles for controlling Salmonella in the future is discussed and analyzed.     

无前导肽细菌素的研究进展及在食品保藏中的应用

细菌素作为食品防腐剂在食品工业中已广泛应用。无前导肽细菌素是一类由核糖体合成、不进行任何翻译后修饰、N端没有前导肽序列的细菌素。该文对目前无前导肽细菌素的类型、生物合成、理化特征、抗菌机制及在食品保藏中的应用进行综述。分析表明,该类细菌素通常含27个~53个氨基酸,富含赖氨酸残基而缺少半胱氨酸残基,均带有正电荷,有较高的等电点;该类细菌素受受体影响小,静电作用和疏水作用在抑菌机制中发挥重要作用,多数具有广谱抑菌活性;该类细菌素遗传结构简单,便于在其它微生物中表达,易于规模化生产。     

Bacteriocins: safe, natural antimicrobials for food preservation.

Bacteriocins are antibacterial proteins produced by bacteria that kill or inhibit the growth of other bacteria. Many lactic acid bacteria (LAB) produce a high diversity of different bacteriocins. Though these bacteriocins are produced by LAB found in numerous fermented and non-fermented foods, nisin is currently the only bacteriocin widely used as a food preservative. Many bacteriocins have been characterized biochemically and genetically, and though there is a basic understanding of their structure-function, biosynthesis, and mode of action, many aspects of these compounds are still unknown. This article gives an overview of bacteriocin applications, and differentiates bacteriocins from antibiotics. A comparison of the synthesis. mode of action, resistance and safety of the two types of molecules is covered. Toxicity data exist for only a few bacteriocins, but research and their long-time intentional use strongly suggest that bacteriocins can be safely used.     

核磁共振技术在食品脂质研究中的应用新进展

核磁共振技术是一种高效的无损检测技术,被广泛应用于食品脂质研究。本文概述了核磁共振技术的基本原理,综述了核磁共振技术在食品脂质含量及其固体脂肪指数,动植物油脂的脂肪酸测定,食品中活性磷脂的结构鉴定以及食用植物油质量评价等方面的应用新进展,以期为食品脂质研究提供参考与借鉴。      

Nanostructures for delivery of natural antimicrobials in food

ABSTRACT

Natural antimicrobial compounds are a topic of utmost interest in food science due to the increased demand for safe and high-quality foods with minimal processing. The use of nanostructures is an interesting alternative to protect and delivery antimicrobials in food, also providing controlled release of natural compounds such as bacteriocins and antimicrobial proteins, and also for delivery of plant derived antimicrobials. A diversity of nanostructures are capable of trapping natural antimicrobials maintaining the stability of substances that are frequently sensitive to food processing and storage conditions. This article provides an overview on natural antimicrobials incorporated in nanostructures, showing an effective antimicrobial activity on a diversity of food spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms.     

乳酸菌细菌素抑菌特性及在食品中的应用研究进展

乳酸菌细菌素是细菌在核糖体上合成的具有抗菌活性的多肽类物质,这些细菌素能杀灭或抑制引起食品腐败的细菌的繁殖,可作为天然的食品防腐剂在食品中应用。该文综述了乳酸菌细菌素的分类、国内外研究现状、抑菌特性及应用等方面的最新研究进展,并对乳酸菌细菌素未来研究趋势进行简要分析,对乳酸菌细菌素在食品中的应用有一定参考价值。     

FUNDAMENTALS AND PERSPECTIVES FOR THE USE OF BACTERIOCINS PRODUCED BY LACTIC ACID BACTERIA IN MEAT PRODUCTS

Bacteriocins of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are proteinaceous compounds that may present antimicrobial activity towards important foodborne pathogens and spoilage-related microflora. Due to these properties, bacteriocin-producing strains or purified bacteriocins have a great potential of use in biologically based food preservation systems. Despite the growing number of articles describing the isolation of bacteriocinogenic strains, genetic determinants for production, as well as the purification and biochemical characterization of these inhibitory substances, there are only limited reports of successful application of bacteriocins to meats.

This paper presents a critical review of the methods available for screening of bacteriocin-producing LAB strains from meats and also discusses the proposed mechanisms of action for LAB bacteriocins. Additionally, an overview of the Brazilian experience in the application of LAB bacteriocins to meats and meat products is given.     

FUNDAMENTALS AND PERSPECTIVES FOR THE USE OF BACTERIOCINS PRODUCED BY LACTIC ACID BACTERIA IN MEAT PRODUCTS

Bacteriocins of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are proteinaceous compounds that may present antimicrobial activity towards important foodborne pathogens and spoilage-related microflora. Due to these properties, bacteriocin-producing strains or purified bacteriocins have a great potential of use in biologically based food preservation systems. Despite the growing number of articles describing the isolation of bacteriocinogenic strains, genetic determinants for production, as well as the purification and biochemical characterization of these inhibitory substances, there are only limited reports of successful application of bacteriocins to meats.

This paper presents a critical review of the methods available for screening of bacteriocin-producing LAB strains from meats and also discusses the proposed mechanisms of action for LAB bacteriocins. Additionally, an overview of the Brazilian experience in the application of LAB bacteriocins to meats and meat products is given.     

Microbial Transglutaminase: General Characteristics and Performance in Food Processing Technology

The enzyme microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) (EC 2.3.2.13) catalyzes acyl transfer reactions, deamidation, and inter and intramolecular crosslinks between amino acid residues of glutamine and lysine. Its application in foods alters the technological properties of food proteins, such as their emulsifying capacity, gelation, viscosity, water holding capacity, and foam formation and stability. The commercial application of the enzyme in Brazil is limited almost entirely to the restructured meat industry and dairy beverages, but several studies have demonstrated its potential for commercial application in vegetable products such as soy, which is little exploited in the market. The application of this enzyme to vegetable derivatives allows for the development of new products or improvement of the functional properties of traditional foods. The objective of this article is to offer a comprehensive overview of the general characteristics and function of the enzyme microbial transglutaminase, with emphasis on its application in foods.