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A novel killer protein from Pichia kluyveri isolated from an Algerian soil: purification and characterization of its in vitro activity against food and beverage spoilage yeasts

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Abstract

A novel killer protein (Pkkp) secreted by a Pichia kluyveri strain isolated from an Algerian soil was active against food and beverage spoilage yeasts of the genera Dekkera, Kluyveromyces, Pichia, Saccharomyces, Torulaspora, Wickerhamomyces and Zygosaccharomyces. After purification by gel filtration chromatography Pkkp revealed an apparent molecular mass of 54 kDa with SDS-PAGE. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of purified Pkkp exhibited a high in vitro activity against Dekkera bruxellensis (MICs from 64,000- to 256,000-fold lower than that exhibited by potassium metabisulphite) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (MICs from 32,000- to 64,000- fold lower than potassium sorbate). No in vitro synergistic interactions (calculated by FIC index − Σ FIC) were observed when Pkkp was used in combination with potassium metabisulphite, potassium sorbate, or ethanol. Pkkp exhibited a dose–response effect against D. bruxellensis and S. cerevisiae in a low-alcoholic drink and fruit juice, respectively. The results of the present study suggest that Pkkp could be proposed as a novel food-grade compound useful for the control of food and beverage spoilage yeasts.

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Acknowledgments

The author Fatima-Zohra Kenza Labbani is deeply grateful to the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Algeria for the doctoral fellowship (PNE program).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Natural and Life Sciences Faculty, Abbes Laghrour University of Khenchela, Route Batna, 40004, Khenchela, Algeria

    Fatima-Zohra Kenza Labbani

  2. Department of Biochemistry, Natural and Life Sciences Faculty, University of Constantine 1, Route Ain El bey, Constantine, 25017, Algeria

    Fatima-Zohra Kenza Labbani

  3. Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Science & Industrial Yeasts Collection DBVPG, University of Perugia, 06121, Perugia, Italy

    Benedetta Turchetti & Pietro Buzzini

  4. Department of Biochemistry, Natural and Life Sciences Faculty, University of Constantine 1, Route Ain El bey, 25017, Constantine, Algeria

    Leila Bennamoun, Scheherazad Dakhmouche & Zahia Meraihi

  5. Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, 06132, Italy

    Rita Roberti & Lanfranco Corazzi

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  1. Fatima-Zohra Kenza Labbani
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  2. Benedetta Turchetti
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  3. Leila Bennamoun
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  4. Scheherazad Dakhmouche
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  5. Rita Roberti
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  6. Lanfranco Corazzi
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  7. Zahia Meraihi
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  8. Pietro Buzzini
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Correspondence to Fatima-Zohra Kenza Labbani.

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Labbani, FZ.K., Turchetti, B., Bennamoun, L. et al. A novel killer protein from Pichia kluyveri isolated from an Algerian soil: purification and characterization of its in vitro activity against food and beverage spoilage yeasts. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 107, 961–970 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10482-015-0388-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10482-015-0388-4

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