清酒乳杆菌细菌素研究的现状及展望

清酒乳杆菌不仅可作为发酵香肠的发酵剂赋予香肠良好的风味和品质,而且绝大多数清酒乳杆菌细菌素对食源性致病菌单核增生李斯特菌具有较强的抑制作用。清酒乳杆菌细菌素种类多,性质各异。本文分别从清酒乳杆菌细菌素的种类,肉制品环境对清酒乳杆菌和细菌素稳定性的影响以及清酒乳杆菌细菌素在食品中的应用研究进行了概述,为寻找新的具有良好性能的清酒乳杆菌细菌素提供了参考。     

有抑菌能力乳杆菌的筛选 及其抑菌物质的初步探究

目的筛选具有抑菌能力的乳杆菌菌株并对其抑菌物质进行初步探究。方法采用琼脂扩散法进行抑菌试验,筛选出具有抑菌能力的乳杆菌菌株;通过热稳定性试验检测抑菌物质耐高温的能力;通过有机酸排除与过氧化氢排除试验检测这两种物质对抑菌作用是否有影响;用胃蛋白酶、胰蛋白酶和蛋白酶K消化处理各株乳杆菌无细胞发酵液后进行抑菌试验,判断抑菌物质是否为蛋白多肽类物质。结果 2株副干酪乳杆菌与1株保加利亚乳杆菌对大肠埃希菌、铜绿假单胞菌、伤寒沙门菌和痢疾志贺菌有抑菌效果。这3株乳杆菌无细胞发酵液中的抑菌物质经过高温处理后仍具有抑菌能力,但抑菌能力与处理前相比显著降低(P0.05);有机酸对照组未产生明显的抑菌圈;过氧化氢排除后的无细胞发酵液的抑菌能力未受影响;经过蛋白酶作用3株乳杆菌无细胞发酵液的抑菌能力显著降低(P0.05)或消失。生物被膜态副干酪乳杆菌2的抑菌能力与浮游态相近,其无细胞发酵液中的抑菌物质可以完全耐受100℃处理与胃蛋白酶的消化作用,可部分耐受胰蛋白酶的消化作用。结论副干酪乳杆菌1、副干酪乳杆菌2和保加利亚乳杆菌具有良好的抑菌能力,它们产生的主要抑菌物质为蛋白多肽类,此物质具有较好的耐高温能力与耐蛋白酶能力;被膜态副干酪乳杆菌产生的抑菌物质表现出了更强的抗胁迫能力与稳定性。     

植物乳杆菌细菌素的研究与应用

植物乳杆菌细菌素不仅种类多,产生菌在发酵过程中还可产生良好的保健功效,因此成为研究的热点。本文对植物乳杆菌细菌素的种类、分子结构、抑菌机制及遗传控制做了较为详尽的介绍,并简要介绍了植物乳杆菌细菌素在食品、医药、饲料中的应用,为进一步研究植物乳杆菌细菌素提供了参考。     

阴道中益生特性乳杆菌的分离与功能评价

目的分离健康女性阴道中的乳杆菌并鉴定其益生特性,为开发治疗妇科疾病的复方益生菌制剂提供新型菌株。方法采集健康女性阴道分泌物并分离筛选乳杆菌,通过16SrDNA序列分析鉴定乳杆菌分离株,并对其产酸性能、产H2O2能力、抑菌能力、产生物膜能力进行检测。结果从50名健康女性阴道内共分离出179株乳杆菌,其中卷曲乳杆菌101株、詹氏乳杆菌42株、格氏乳杆菌26株、植物乳杆菌5株、唾液乳杆菌3株以及干酪乳杆菌2株。179株乳杆菌中有146株具有产酸能力,发酵液pH值的最低的5株菌分别为卷曲乳杆菌J3、卷曲乳杆菌J8、詹氏乳杆菌J87,植物乳杆菌J75以及格氏乳杆菌J35,其pH分别为4.20、4.23、4.24、4.26及4.36;产H2O2弱阳性菌株有87株、阳性有37株、强阳性有9株,这9株菌分别为卷曲乳杆菌J3、卷曲乳杆菌J8、卷曲乳杆菌J20、詹氏乳杆菌J87,詹氏乳杆菌J90、詹氏乳杆菌J15、格氏乳杆菌J11、植物乳杆菌J75、植物乳杆菌J69以及植物乳杆菌J40;能拮抗大肠埃希菌的菌株有115株、拮抗金黄色葡萄球菌的有84株、拮抗白假丝酵母的有52株;经统计,对三者同时有拮抗作用且作用最强的只有6株,分别为卷曲乳杆菌J3、卷曲乳杆菌J50、卷曲乳杆菌J62、詹氏乳杆菌J87、詹氏乳杆菌J16和格氏乳杆菌J66;不同乳杆菌产生物膜能力数值范围在1.0~5.4,卷曲乳杆菌、詹氏乳杆菌、干酪乳杆菌的生物被膜形成能力显著高于其他三种菌(P0.05)。在全部179株菌中,卷曲乳杆菌J3和詹氏乳杆菌J87既具有强的产酸能力和产过氧化氢能力,又有较强抑菌活性,同时产生物膜能力也最强。结论卷曲乳杆菌J3和詹氏乳杆菌J87具有优良的生物学特性,有望成为用于治疗妇科疾病微生态制剂的备选菌株。     

具有拮抗无乳链球菌能力乳杆菌的筛选及抑菌特性

目的从罗非鱼(Nile tilapia)肠道中筛选出具有抑菌作用的乳杆菌,测定其对无乳链球菌(Streptococcus agalactiae)的抑菌效果,分析乳杆菌抑制无乳链球菌的有效成分,并利用分子生物学手段对筛选的乳杆菌菌种进行鉴定。方法采用双层平板法对具有抑制无乳链球菌的乳杆菌进行筛选,牛津杯法对抑菌效果进行测定,酶蛋白敏感性测定、热处理、有机酸处理等方法分析抑菌活性物质有效成分,16S rDNA分子标记对乳杆菌进行鉴定。结果从罗非鱼肠道中筛选出14株乳杆菌,其中菌株RS2对无乳链球菌具有明显的抑菌效果;不同蛋白酶种类、pH处理对乳杆菌无细胞培养液均有不同的影响,经80℃处理的乳杆菌无细胞培养液,其抑菌效果未显著改变(t=0.169 2,P=0.873 8)。此外,此株乳杆菌对猪霍乱沙门菌(Salmonella choleraesuis)、大肠埃希菌(Escherichia coli)、金黄色葡萄球菌(Staphylococcus aureus)和志贺菌(Shigella sp.)等病原菌具有良好的抑制作用。经鉴定,该乳杆菌为植物乳杆菌(Lactobacillus plantarum)。结论从罗非鱼肠道中分离得到的植物乳杆菌菌株RS2对无乳链球菌等致病菌具有一定的抑制作用,推断其抑菌有效成分为细菌素类物质。此项研究对开发抗生素替代产品,提高食品的品质具有一定价值。     

瑞士乳杆菌M14-1所产细菌素的分离纯化及抑菌特性分析

瑞士乳杆菌M14-1发酵上清液经硫酸盐沉淀后得到粗蛋白提取物,再经离子交换、C18固相萃取进行进一步纯化后得到高纯度的纯化产物。研究细菌素M14-1酶敏感性、酸碱稳定性、热稳定性、抑菌谱以及细菌素产量与菌株生长关系。研究发现细菌素M14-1对蛋白酶K、胰蛋白酶、胃蛋白酶敏感,对过氧化氢酶不敏感。该细菌素热稳定性较差,121℃处理15 min后,活性下降。细菌素M14-1在pH2.0~10.0内具有抑菌活性。抑菌谱结果表明细菌素M14-1抑菌谱较窄,仅对单增李斯特氏菌有较好的抑制效果。瑞士乳杆菌M14-1在发酵16h后达到稳定期,而细菌素M14-1最佳收获时间为瑞士乳杆菌M14-1发酵12 h后。     

具有抗幽门螺杆菌能力的乳酸菌菌株筛选CSCD

目的 在8株乳酸菌中筛选能够抗幽门螺杆菌感染的乳酸菌菌株,为后续研发治疗幽门螺杆菌感染的益生菌制剂提供依据。方法 在8株乳酸菌菌株中,通过对幽门螺杆菌抑菌率的检测及构建人胃腺癌细胞感染模型检测8株乳酸菌对幽门螺杆菌的抑制作用,以及对尿素酶活性的检测判断8株菌的抗幽门螺杆菌的能力。结果 在抑菌试验中,植物乳植杆菌HCS03-001(t=2.938,P=0.008)和副干酪乳酪杆菌HCS17-040(t=3.864,P=0.006)上清液的抑菌作用较强;植物乳植杆菌HCS03-001、罗伊氏粘液乳杆菌RH02100、副干酪乳酪杆菌HCS17-040能够降低幽门螺杆菌对AGS细胞的黏附能力;通过幽门螺杆菌菌悬液与乳酸菌菌悬液共培养,发现植物乳植杆菌HCS03-001(t=6.257,P<0.001)、副干酪乳酪杆菌HCS17-040(t=5.873,P=0.005)抑制尿素酶活性的作用更强。结论 植物乳植杆菌HCS03-001和副干酪乳酪杆菌HCS17-040具有抗幽门螺杆菌感染的能力。     

单增李斯特菌溶血素O的功能研究进展

单核细胞增生李斯特菌(Listeria monocytogenes, Lm,简称单增李斯特菌)是一种普遍存在的革兰阳性食源性病原体,可引起人类和一些动物的李斯特菌病。侵袭性李斯特菌病通常很严重,临床上表现为自然流产、败血症和脑膜脑炎,也可表现为发热性胃肠炎综合症。成孔蛋白单增李斯特菌溶血素O(Listeriolysin O,LLO,由hly基因编码)是一种重要的毒力因子,属于胆固醇依赖性细胞溶解素(cholesterol-dependent cytolysins,CDC)毒素,其通过膜穿孔机制介导Lm从吞噬体逃逸并引起李斯特菌病。最近的研究表明LLO除了主要的膜穿孔作用,还存在其他功能,在Lm感染过程中扮演了重要的角色。从LLO的功能和作用机制等方面综述了近些年对该毒素的研究进展,以便更好地理解单增李斯特菌的感染机制,为防治李斯特病的相关研究提供参考。     

片球菌素PediocinPA-1抑菌活性检测

目的检测通过基因工程获得的片球菌素Pediocin PA-1抑菌活性。方法采用琼脂扩散法检测片球菌素Pediocin PA-1对单核细胞增生李斯特杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、铜绿假单胞菌、沙门菌和大肠埃希菌O157的抑菌活性。结果片球菌素Pediocin PA-1对单核细胞增生李斯特杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、沙门菌、铜绿假单胞菌和大肠埃希菌O157等均有抑制作用。其中对单核细胞增生李斯特杆菌、沙门菌、大肠埃希菌和金黄色葡萄球菌的抑制作用效果明显,对铜绿假单胞菌有微弱的抑制作用。结论通过基因工程获得的片球菌素Pediocin PA-1具有抑菌活性。     

超高压对单增李斯特菌细胞膜的损伤和致死机理

【目的】研究超高压对病原微生物单增李斯特菌细胞膜损伤的影响。【方法】本文以单增李斯特菌为研究对象,探讨了不同压力处理(100-500 MPa)对单增李斯特菌的灭活作用,利用透射电镜观察高压处理对细菌细胞超微结构的影响,通过紫外分光光度法、原子吸收分光光度法和荧光分光光度法测定高压处理对细菌细胞膜通透性的影响,采用超微量Na+/K+-ATP酶试剂盒测定高压处理对细菌细胞膜Na+/K+-ATP酶活力的影响。【结果】25℃经300、350、400 MPa压力处理15 min后,单增李斯特菌总数由9.00分别降至5.20、3.27、1.35个对数单位,经450MPa及以上的压力处理后,单增李斯特菌的致死率达到100%。超高压处理对单增李斯特菌的细胞超微结构造成明显的损伤,细胞结构不完整,细胞壁局部被破坏,细胞膜通透性增大,细胞内物质聚合,出现透电子区。由于细胞膜的损伤使得细胞内无机盐离子、紫外吸收物质流出,细胞膜上的Na+/K+-ATPase失活。【结论】超高压处理造成单增李斯特菌细胞形态结构明显损伤,改变细胞膜的通透性,降低细胞膜上Na+/K+-ATP酶活力,最终使得细胞内无机盐离子和胞内大分子物质外流而死亡。     

Depletion of proton motive force by nisin in Listeria monocytogenes cells.

The basal proton motive force (PMF) levels and the influence of the bacteriocin nisin on the PMF were determined in Listeria monocytogenes Scott A. In the absence of nisin, the interconversion of the pH gradient (Z delta pH) and the membrane potential (delta psi) led to the maintenance of a fairly constant PMF at -160 mV over the external pH range 5.5 to 7.0. The addition of nisin at concentrations of greater than or equal to 5 micrograms/ml completely dissipated PMF in cells at external pH values of 5.5 and 7.0. With 1 microgram of nisin per ml, delta pH was completely dissipated but delta psi decreased only slightly. The action of nisin on PMF in L. monocytogenes Scott A was both time and concentration dependent. Valinomycin depleted only delta pH, whereas nigericin and carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone depleted only delta psi, under conditions in which nisin depleted both. Four other L. monocytogenes strains had basal PMF parameters similar to those of strain Scott A. Nisin (2.5 micrograms/ml) also completely dissipated PMF in these strains.     

Purification of the bacteriocin bavaricin MN and characterization of its mode of action against Listeria monocytogenes Scott A cells and lipid vesicles.

Bavaricin MN was purified from Lactobacillus sake culture supernatant 135-fold with a final yield of 11%. Sequence analysis revealed bavaricin MN to be a 42-amino-acid peptide having a molecular weight of 4,769 and a calculated pI of 10.0. Computer analysis indicated that the C-terminal region may form an alpha-helical structure with an amphipathic nature deemed important in the interaction of bacteriocins with biological membranes. Bavaricin MN rapidly depleted the membrane potential (delta p) of energized Listeria monocytogenes cells in a concentration-dependent fashion. At a bavaricin MN concentration of 9.0 micrograms/ml, the delta p decreased by 85%. Both the electrical potential (delta psi) and Z delta pH components of the delta p were depleted, and this depletion was not dependent on a threshold level of proton motive force. In addition to studying the effect of bavaricin MN on the delta p of vegetative cells, bavaricin MN-induced carboxyfluorescein (CF) efflux from L. monocytogenes-derived lipid vesicles was also characterized. Bavaricin MN-induced CF leakage was also concentration dependent with an optimum of pH 6.0. The rate of CF efflux was 63% greater in lipid vesicles in which a delta psi was generated compared with that in lipid vesicles in the absence of a delta psi.     

Membrane potential estimation by flow cytometry

Membrane potential (delta psi) is generated and maintained by concentration gradients of ions such as sodium, potassium, chloride, and hydrogen. Changes in cytoplasmic delta psi in the course of surface-receptor-mediated processes related to the development, function, and pathology of many cell types often play a role in transmembrane signaling. Cytoplasmic delta psi is also reduced to zero when the membrane is ruptured by chemical or physical agents. Mitochondrial delta psi is reduced when energy metabolism is disrupted, notably in apoptosis. In bacteria, which lack mitochondria, delta psi reflects both the state of energy metabolism and the physical integrity of the cytoplasmic membrane. Flow cytometry can be used to estimate membrane potential in eukaryotic cells, mitochondria in situ, isolated mitochondria, and bacteria. Older methods, using lipophilic cationic dyes such as the cyanines and rhodamine 123 or lipophilic anionic dyes such as the oxonols can detect relatively large changes in delta psi and identify heterogeneity of response in subpopulations comprising substantial fractions of a cell population. Newer ratiometric techniques allow precise measurement of delta psi to within 10 mV or less. Among other factors, action of efflux pumps, changes in membrane structure, and changes in protein or lipid concentration in the medium in which cells are suspended can produce changes in cellular fluorescence which may be misinterpreted as changes in delta psi. Techniques for estimation and measurement of Delta Psi therefore typically require careful control of cell and reagent concentrations and incubation times and selection of appropriate controls if they are to provide accurate information.     

Ammonium/urea-dependent generation of a proton electrochemical potential and synthesis of ATP in Bacillus pasteurii.

The influence of ammonium and urea on the components of the proton electrochemical potential (delta p) and de novo synthesis of ATP was studied with Bacillus pasteurii ATCC 11859. In washed cells grown at high urea concentrations, a delta p of -56 +/- 29 mV, consisting of a membrane potential (delta psi) of -228 +/- 19 mV and of a transmembrane pH gradient (delta pH) equivalent to 172 +/- 38 mV, was measured. These cells contained only low amounts of potassium, and the addition of ammonium caused an immediate net decrease of both delta psi and delta pH, resulting in a net increase of delta p of about 49 mV and de novo synthesis of ATP. Addition of urea and its subsequent hydrolysis to ammonium by the cytosolic urease also caused an increase of delta p and ATP synthesis; a net initial increase of delta psi, accompanied by a slower decrease of delta pH in this case, was observed. Cells grown at low concentrations of urea contained high amounts of potassium and maintained a delta p of -113 +/- 26 mV, with a delta psi of -228 +/- 22 mV and a delta pH equivalent to 115 +/- 20 mV. Addition of ammonium to such cells resulted in the net decrease of delta psi and delta pH without a net increase in delta p or synthesis of ATP, whereas urea caused an increase of delta p and de novo synthesis of ATP, mainly because of a net increase of delta psi. The data reported in this work suggest that the ATP-generating system is coupled to urea hydrolysis via both an alkalinization of the cytoplasm by the ammonium generated in the urease reaction and a net increase of delta psi that is probably due to an efflux of ammonium ions. Furthermore, the findings of this study show that potassium ions are involved in the regulation of the intracellular pH and that ammonium ions may functionally replace potassium to a certain extent in reducing the membrane potential and alkalinizing the cytoplasm.     

The membrane potential ofMethanobacterium thermoautotrophicum under different external conditions

The membrane potential (delta psi) of whole cells of Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum strain delta H was estimated under different external conditions using a TPP(+)-sensitive electrode. The results show that the delta psi values of M. thermoautotrophicum at alkaline pHout (8.5) are comparable with delta psi values under slightly acidic conditions (pH 6.8; 230 and 205 mV, respectively). On the other hand, the size of colonies on Petri dishes was remarkably smaller at pH 8.5 than at 6.8. The delta psi was insensitive to relevant ATPase inhibitors. At pH 6.8, the protonophore 3,3',4',5-tetrachlorosalicylanilide (TCS) strongly inhibited delta psi formation and ATP synthesis driven by methanogenic electron transport. On the other hand, at pH 8.5 the CH4 formation and ATP synthesis were insensitive to TCS and a protonophore-resistant delta psi of approximately 150 mV was determined. The finding of a protonophore-resistant delta psi at pH 8.5 indicates that at alkaline pHout these cells can switch from H(+)-energetics to Na(+)-energetics, when the delta [symbol: see text] H+ becomes limited. The results strongly support the hypothesis that at alkaline pHout Na+ ions might fully substitute for H+ in these cells as the coupling ions.     

Parameters affecting the adsorption of plantaricin 423, a bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus plantarum 423 isolated from sorghum beer

Plantaricin 423 is bactericidal to logarithmic and stationary-phase cells of Enterococcus sp. HKLHS and L. sakei DSM 20017. Detection of extracellular DNA and beta-galactosidase suggests that the mode of action is most probably by destabilizing of the cell membrane. Adsorption of plantaricin 423 to target cells ranged from 17% for Streptococcus caprinus ATCC 700066 to 67% for Lactobacillus plantarum LMG 13556, Lactobacillus curvatus DF38, Listeria innocua LMG 13568 and Lactobacillus sakei DSM 20017. Treatment of Enterococcus sp. HKLHS and L. sakei DSM 20017 with Triton X-100, Triton X-114 and chloroform increased the adsorption of plantaricin.     

Electrophysiology of flounder intestinal mucosa. II. Relation of the electrical potential profile to coupled NaCl absorption

We characterized the hyperpolarization of the electrical potential profile of flounder intestinal cells that accompanies inhibition of NaCl cotransport. Several observations indicate that hyperpolarization of psi a and psi b (delta psi a,b) results from inhibition of NaCl entry across the apical membrane: (a) the response was elicited by replacement of mucosal solution Cl or Na by nontransported ions, and (b) mucosal bumetanide or serosal cGMP, inhibitors of NaCl influx, elicited delta psi a,b and decreased the transepithelial potential (psi t) in parallel. Regardless of initial values, psi a and psi b approached the equilibrium potential for K (EK) so that in the steady state following inhibition of NaCl entry, psi a approximately equal to psi b approximately equal to ECl approximately equal to EK. Bumetanide decreased cell Cl activity (aClc) toward equilibrium levels. Bumetanide and cGMP decreased the fractional apical membrane resistance (fRa), increased the slope of the relation of psi a to [K]m, and decreased cellular conductance (Gc) by approximately 85%, which indicates a marked increase in basolateral membrane conductance (Gb). Since the basolateral membrane normally shows a high conductance to Cl, a direct relation between apical salt entry and GClb is suggested by these findings. As judged by the response to bumetanide or ion replacement in the presence of mucosal Ba, inhibition of Na/K/Cl co-transport alone is not sufficient to elicit delta psi a,b. This suggests the presence of a parallel NaCl co-transport mechanism that may be activated when Na/K/Cl co-transport is compromised. The delta psi a,b response to reduced apical NaCl entry would assist in maintaining the driving force for Na-coupled amino acid uptake across the apical membrane as luminal [NaCl] falls during absorption.     

Factors and processes involved in membrane potential build-up in yeast: diS-C3(3) assay.

No methods are currently available for fully reliable monitoring of membrane potential changes in suspensions of walled cells such as yeast. Our method using the Nernstian cyanine probe diS-C3(3) monitors even relatively fast changes in membrane potential delta psi by recording the shifts of probe fluorescence maximum lambda max consequent on delta psi-dependent probe uptake into, or exit from, the cells. Both increased [K+]out and decreased pHout, but not external NaCl or choline chloride depolarise the membrane. The major ion species contributing to the diS-C3(3)-reported membrane potential in S. cerevisiae are thus K+ and H+, whereas Na+ and Cl- do not perceptibly contribute to measured delta psi. The strongly pHout-dependent depolarisation caused by the protonophores CCCP and FCCP, lack of effect of the respiratory chain inhibitors rotenone and HQNO on the delta psi, as well as results obtained with a respiration-deficient rho- mutant show that the major component of the diS-C3(3)-reported membrane potential is the delta psi formed on the plasma membrane while mitochondrial potential forms a minor part of the delta psi. Its role may be reflected in the slight depolarisation caused by the F1F0-ATPase inhibitor azide in both rho- mutant and wildtype cells. Blocking the plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase with the DMM-11 inhibitor showed that the enzyme participates in delta psi build-up both in the absence and in the presence of added glucose. Pore-forming agents such as nystatin cause a fast probe entry into the cells signifying membrane damage and extensive binding of the probe to cell constituents reflecting obviously disruption of ionic balance in permeabilised cells. In damaged cells the probe therefore no longer reports on membrane potential but on loss of membrane integrity. The delta psi-independent probe entry signalling membrane damage can be distinguished from the potential-dependent diS-C3(3) uptake into intact cells by being insensitive to the depolarising action of CCCP.     

Development of a surface adhesion immunofluorescent technique for the rapid isolation of Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria innocua from meat

The use of a novel surface adhesion technique to isolate Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria innocua from an enrichment meat system was developed. Minced beef samples inoculated with L. monocytogenes (10 cfu g(-1)) were incubated at 30 degrees C for 14-18 h in a suitable enrichment broth. Listeria monocytogenes cells were isolated from the enriched meat sample by surface adhesion onto a polycarbonate membrane which was attached to a glass microscope slide. The Listeria cells on the membrane were subsequently visualized using an immunofluorescent microscopy procedure. The antibody used in this technique reacts with L. monocytogenes and L. innocua. The technique was demonstrated to have a detection level of log10 3.11 cfu ml(-1). There was excellent correlation (r2 = 0.98) between the counts obtained by this surface adhesion immunofluorescent (SAIF) technique and counts obtained using traditional methods, i.e. plate counts on PALCAM. When the regression equation relating the rapid and standard methods was validated using the data from 50 retail beef mince samples, an rsd value of +/- 0.25 was obtained. No false-negative or false-positive results were recorded for L. monocytogenes or L. innocua species using the SAIF technique.     

Morphological changes induced in listeria monocytogenes V7 by a bacteriocin produced by Pediococcus acidilactici

Pediococcus acidilactici produces bacteriocin, which kills Listeria monocytogenes. The bactericidal mode of action of the bacteriocin against L. monocytogenes V7 was investigated by transmission electron microscopy. The bacteriocin was purified partially from the cell-free extract using Micro-Cel and cation-exchange chromatography, and the specific activity was increased 1,791 fold. The bacteriocin (6,400 AU/ ml) was inoculated with L. monocytogenes V7 and incubated for 0.5 h, 1 h, 3 h, and 6 h. The bacteriocin was found to destroy most of the cell wall and released most of the inclusions in the cells after 6 h of incubation. These results suggest that the bactericidal effect of the bacteriocin was due to bacterial lysis.