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Inhibitory effect of plantaricin peptides (Pln E/F and J/K) against Escherichia coli

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Abstract

Plantaricins are small bioactive peptides produced by Lactobacillus plantarum strains that exhibit significant antimicrobial activity against closely-related Gram-positive bacteria, including food spoilage organisms. In comparison, bacteriocins including plantaricins, are usually less effective against Gram-negative organisms. In this study, we demonstrate that heterologously expressed and purified plantaricins, Pln E, -F, -J, and -K when tested against Gram negative model organism Escherichia coli K-12 were highly effective under certain conditions. The apparent tolerance of Gram-negative members to these peptides has been explained on the basis of the presence of the outer membrane (OM) that acts as a protective barrier. We have shown that agents and/or conditions that destabilize OM of E. coli K-12, make it susceptible to plantaricin peptides. In order to further strengthen this conclusion, an OM lipoprotein-defective lpp mutant strain of E. coli K-12 was also studied and compared. A significant loss of cell viability both in terms of CFU/ml as well as with live–dead dual staining combined with flow cytometry, could be demonstrated with the lpp mutant in comparison to the wild type strain. The results indicate that plantaricins can inhibit Gram-negative bacteria if the outer-membrane is weakened and it can be used in preservation of food with the help of some food-grade chelating agents.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge financial assistance and the facilities supported by University Grant Commision (SAP) and Department of Science and Technology (FIST), Govt. of India in Department of Genetics, UDSC. SS acknowledges the financial assistance from Department of Biotechnology and GP acknowledges Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Government of India, for providing fellowship.

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  1. Department of Genetics, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi, 110021, India

    Gargi Pal & Sheela Srivastava

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  1. Gargi Pal
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  2. Sheela Srivastava
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Correspondence to Sheela Srivastava.

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Pal, G., Srivastava, S. Inhibitory effect of plantaricin peptides (Pln E/F and J/K) against Escherichia coli . World J Microbiol Biotechnol 30, 2829–2837 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-014-1708-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-014-1708-y

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