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Novel bacteriocins produced by Geobacillus stearothermophilus

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Central European Journal of Biology

Abstract

Four novel heat-stable bacteriocin-like substances were found to be produced by Geobacillus stearothermophilus strains isolated from oil-wells in Lithuania. Geobacillus stearothermophilus 32A, 17, 30 and 31 strains were identified as producers of bacteriocins with bactericidal activity against closely related Geobacillus species and several pathogenic strains: Bacillus cereus DSM 12001 and Staphylococcus haemolyticus P903. The secretion of the analysed bacteriocins started during early logarithmic growth and dropped sharply after the culture entered the stationary phase of growth. The antimicrobial activity of the bacteriocins against sensitive indicator cells disappeared after treatment with proteolytic enzymes, indicating their proteinaceous nature. Bacteriocins were stable throughout the pH range between 4 and 10, and no loss in activity was noted following temperature exposures up to 100°C. Direct detection of antibacterial activity on SDS-PAGE suggests that the inhibitory peptides have a molecular weight of 6–7.5 kDa. Such bacteriocins with broad activity spectra, including antipathogenic action, are attractive to the biotechnology industry as they could be used as antimicrobial agents in medicine, agriculture and food products.

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Author notes

  1. Karina Pokusaeva

    Present address: Department of Microbiology & Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, BioScience Institute, National University of Ireland, Cork, Ireland

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Physiology and Microbiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Vilnius University, LT-03101, Vilnius, Lithuania

    Karina Pokusaeva, Nomeda Kuisiene, Dziuginta Jasinskyte & Donaldas Chitavichius

  2. National Public Health Laboratory Centre, LT-10210, Vilnius, Lithuania

    Kazimiera Rutiene & Jordana Saleikiene

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  1. Karina Pokusaeva
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  2. Nomeda Kuisiene
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Correspondence to Donaldas Chitavichius.

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Pokusaeva, K., Kuisiene, N., Jasinskyte, D. et al. Novel bacteriocins produced by Geobacillus stearothermophilus . cent.eur.j.biol. 4, 196–203 (2009). https://doi.org/10.2478/s11535-009-0009-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s11535-009-0009-1

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