Spatial competition with Lactococcus lactis in mixed-species continuous-flow biofilms inhibits Listeria monocytogenes growth

Surfaces in industrial settings provide a home for resident biofilms that are likely to interact with the attachment, growth and survival of pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes. Experimental results have indicated that L. monocytogenes cells were inhibited by the presence of a model resident flora (Lactococcus lactis) in dual-species continuous flow-biofilms, and are spatially restricted to the lower biofilm layers. Using a new, simplified individual-based model (IBM) that simulates bacterial cell growth in a three-dimensional space, the spatial arrangements of the two species were reconstructed and their cell counts successfully predicted. This model showed that the difference in generation times between L. monocytogenes and L. lactis cells during the initial stages of dual-species biofilm formation was probably responsible for the species spatialization observed and the subsequent inhibition of growth of the pathogen.     

Lyophilized preparations of bacteriocinogenic Lactobacillus curvatus and Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis as potential protective adjuncts to control Listeria monocytogenes in dry-fermented sausages

AIM: Study of the effectiveness of in situ bacteriocin production by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to control Listeria monocytogenes in dry-fermented sausages. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two bacteriocin-producing strains: Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis LMG21206 and Lactobacillus curvatus LBPE were grown in a pilot scale fermentor and lyophilized to be directly used in dry sausage fermentation. A commercial starter culture (Bel'meat SL-25) not inhibitory to L. monocytogenes (Bac- starter) was mixed (1 : 1) with each of the two lyophilized bacteriocin-producing strains to obtain starters active against the pathogen (Bac+ starter). Anti-Listeria effectiveness of the Bac+ starters was studied in dry-fermented sausages. The meat batter was experimentally contaminated with a mixture of four different strains of L. monocytogenes (10(2)-10(3) CFU g(-1)). The results showed that L. monocytogenes did not grow in any of the contaminated batches, but no significant decrease (P > 0.05) was observed either in the positive control (no added starter culture) or in samples fermented with the Bac- starter culture during the fermentation period and up to 15 days of drying. When the Bac+ starter contained Lb. curvatus LBPE, cell counts of L. monocytogenes decreased to below the detectable limit (<10 CFU g(-1)) after 4 h of fermentation and no survivors could be recovered by enrichment beyond day 8 of drying. When the Bac+ starter culture containing Lc. lactis LMG21206 was used, a decrease in Listeria counts to below the detectable limit was achieved after 15 days of drying. CONCLUSIONS: The bacteriocin-producing strains studied may be used as adjunct cultures for sausage fermentations to control the occurrence and survival of L. monocytogenes. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Addition of the Bac+ strains, especially the Lb. curvatus strain would provide an additional hurdle to enhance the control of L. monocytogenes in fermented meat products.     

Controlling Listeria monocytogenes in Cottage cheese through heterologous production of enterocin A by Lactococcus lactis

Aims: Enterocin A is an example of a class IIa bacteriocin with potent anti‐listerial activity. This study was initiated with a view to harnessing this activity, through heterologous production by a lactococcal starter strain, to limit levels of Listeria monocytogenes in a food (Cottage cheese). Methods and Results: Plasmid pEnt02 (containing entA, I, T and D genes under the control of a constitutive promoter) was introduced into a Lactococcus lactis strain capable of fermenting lactose. When this bacteriocin‐producing starter was used in combination with a non‐enterocin A producer, thereby compensating for an associated reduction in acid production, during a Cottage cheese fermentation, a decrease in L. monocytogenes (tagged with lux genes for convenience) levels was evident. Conclusions: Enterocin A, heterologously produced by a food grade lactic acid bacteria (LAB), was therefore shown to have potential for use as a biocontrol agent in food. Significance and Impact of the Study: Many of the most active anti‐listerial compounds identified to date are enterocins. However, because of Enterococcus‐associated concerns, the use of these antimicrobials in a food setting has been curtailed. Although enterocins have been heterologously produced in LAB to overcome this problem, this study represents the first occasion upon which the benefits of such heterologous production have been demonstrated in a food context.     

在乳酸乳球菌中表达外源谷氨酰胺转胺酶显著改善宿主菌好氧生长性能

为改善乳酸乳球菌的生长性能,以轮枝链霉菌染色体DNA为模板,扩增得到编码谷氨酰胺转胺酶成熟酶的基因mtg,将其克隆到质粒pNZ8148中,电转化乳酸乳球菌NZ9000,获得乳酸乳球菌NZ9000(pFL001)(重组菌)。在不控制pH条件下,重组菌的胞外pH显著高于对照菌NZ9000(pNZ8148);前者的最高生物量可达4.13gL,而后者只有0.34gL。在控制pH为6.5±0.1的条件下,重组菌最高生物量为4.73gL,对葡萄糖的菌体最高平均得率为71.1gmol,而相同条件下对照菌最高生物量为2.6gL,对葡萄糖的菌体最高平均得率为27.3gmol。由此表明,重组菌与对照菌相比,好氧生长性能得到显著改善。可能的原因是mtg的活性表达升高了重组菌的胞内pH,原先用于泵出胞内H 所需的部分能量可能因此得到节省,这样相应增加了用于细胞生长的能量。     

凉拌豆制品中单核细胞增生李斯特菌生长模型建立的研究

单核细胞增生李斯特菌是凉拌豆制品中检出率较高的一种致病菌。本研究考察了温度(4℃、15℃、25℃、30℃和37℃)对凉拌豆制品中单核细胞增生李斯特菌生长的影响,并采用SGompertz和SLogistic模型对不同温度下单核细胞增生李斯特菌的生长数据进行拟合;在此基础上,以拟合度(R2)、准确因子(A_f)和偏差因子(B_f)为指标,比较并建立了凉拌豆制品中单核细胞增生李斯特菌的二级生长模型。结果表明,SGompertz模型能更好的拟合凉拌豆制品中单核细胞增生李斯特菌在不同温度下的生长数据,平方根模型能够较准确地预测凉拌豆制品中单核细胞增生李斯特菌的生长状况,因此依次选择此两种模型作为单核细胞增生李斯特菌在凉拌豆制品中的一级和二级生长模型,且模型具有可靠性。研究结果可为凉拌豆制品中单核细胞增生李斯特菌的定量风险评估提供依据。     

谷胱甘肽在乳酸乳球菌抵抗氧胁迫中的保护作用

为研究谷胱甘肽(GSH)在乳酸乳球菌NZ9000抗氧胁迫中的生理作用,以能够生物合成GSH的重组菌NZ9000(pNZ3203)为实验菌株进行了研究。结果表明,在较高H2O2胁迫剂量(150mmol/L H2O2,15min)下,前培养3h、5h和7h(即乳酸链球菌素诱导1h、3h和5h)时的重组菌细胞的存活率分别是处于相应生长时期对照菌NZ9000(pNZ8148)的1.8±0.1倍、2.6±0.1倍和2.9±0.3倍。表明GSH可以提高宿主菌NZ9000对H2O2所引发氧胁迫的抗性。GSH还可以提高宿主菌NZ9000对其它化学物质(如超氧阴离子自由基生成剂———甲萘醌)所引发氧胁迫的抗性。这表现在经20mmol/L甲萘醌处理60min后,前培养5h(即乳酸链球菌素诱导3h)时重组菌细胞的存活率是对照菌的6.2±0.1倍。由此表明,通过代谢工程手段在菌株NZ9000中引入GSH合成能力,可以提高宿主菌对氧胁迫的抗性。     

生长抑制剂所诱导的乳酸乳球菌MG1363的自溶表型及其生长阶段特异的性质

【目的】自溶是细菌在压力环境下通过自身裂解而获得的一种生理适应现象,研究的目的是全面探讨乳酸菌株在生长抑制剂条件下的自溶表型及机理。【方法】对多种来源的乳酸菌株的自溶能力进行检测,通过在不同生长条件和抑制剂压力条件下乳酸乳球菌MG1363的生长检测对其自溶表型进行分析。【结果】在葡萄糖严格受限的培养基中,氨苄青霉素的加入能够显著诱导MG1363的自溶,而且该自溶现象只发生在葡萄糖耗尽的时间点,展现出一种狭窄的生长时期依赖的特征。与此同时,因为氨苄青霉素的加入,4种主要的自溶酶的表达都发生了不同程度的显著改变。此外,所有受试的抑制剂都削弱了MG1363在非营养条件下的自溶,表明该菌株可能具有一种涉及细胞壁合成和降解酶的共同调控的模式。【结论】乳酸菌株在不同生长抑制剂条件下的自溶表型存在很大差异,且该自溶体现出营养条件和生长时期严格依赖的特征。     

单增李斯特菌在冷鲜猪肉中的生长预测模型比较

[目的]探讨单增李斯特菌(Listeria monocytogenes,LM)在冷鲜猪肉中的生长及现有预测软件GP( Growth Predictor)、PMP( Pathogen Modeling Programme)及CP (ComBase Predictor)对LM在冷鲜猪肉中生长的预测准确性.[方法]测定LM在4℃、8℃、12℃及16℃冷鲜猪肉中的生长,并用DMFit软件对生长数据进行拟合,计算各个温度点下的迟滞期(Lag phase duration,LPD)、生长率(Growth rate,GR)、最大生长密度(Maximum population density,MPD),同时用3种预测模型对相同条件下LM在猪肉中的生长进行预测,将实测值与预测值进行比较分析.[结果]冷鲜猪肉在16℃,经过2.6h LM即进入对数生长期.从8℃提高至12℃时,LM在冷鲜猪肉中的生长率从0.017l0g(cfu/g).h-1增至0.038l0g(cfu/g).h-1.在4℃ - 16℃,PMP预测的GR要比实测值低,而LPD则高于实测值.GP在8℃及以上的温度范围内,所预测LPD比实测值偏高.3种预测模型中,GP对GR的预测稍高于实测值,偏差因子(Bf)为1.01,准确因子(Af)为1.38;CP对LPD的预测值与实测值更为接近,Af及Bf分别为4.33及2.83.[结论]在冷鲜猪肉生产和销售过程中,严格控制温度尤为重要.PMP的预测较为保守,不适于冷鲜猪肉中LM生长的预测;建议用GP对GR进行预测,而CP对LPD的预测仅作为参考.     

Removal of Listeria monocytogenes dual-species biofilms using combined enzyme-benzalkonium chloride treatments

The effects of pronase (PRN), cellulase (CEL) or DNaseI alone or combined with benzalkonium chloride (BAC) against Listeria monocytogenes-carrying biofilms were assayed. The best removal activity against L. monocytogenes–Escherichia coli biofilms was obtained using DNaseI followed by PRN and CEL. Subsequently, a modified logistic model was used to quantify the combined effects of PRN or DNaseI with BAC. A better BAC performance after PRN compared to DNaseI eradicating L. monocytogenes was observed. In E. coli the effects were the opposite. Finally, effects of DNaseI and DNaseI–BAC treatments were compared against two different L. monocytogenes-carrying biofilms. DNaseI–BAC was more effective against L. monocytogenes when co-cultured with E. coli. Nonetheless, comparing the removal effects after BAC addition, these were higher in mixed-biofilms with Pseudomonas fluorescens. However, a high number of released viable cells was observed after combined treatments. These results open new perspectives of enzymes as an anti-biofilm strategy for environmental pathogen control.     

A multidrug efflux transporter in Listeria monocytogenes

A chromosomal gene (mdrL) was found in Listeria monocytogenes L028, showing a high degree of similarity with multidrug efflux transporters of the major facilitator superfamily (family 2). An allele-substituted mutant of this gene failed to pump out ethidium bromide and presented lower minimal inhibitory concentrations of macrolides, cefotaxime and heavy metals. This is the first multidrug efflux pump described in Listeria.     

李斯特菌生物被膜形成的调控

单核细胞增生李斯特菌(Listeria monocyiogenes)能引起人和动物脑膜炎、败血症、流产和单核细胞增多等症状,临床发病率在美国和欧洲等西方发达国家大约为2-8例/10万人,死亡率20％-30％或更高,被WHO列为关系食品卫生安全的重要病源细菌之一一[1-2].该菌能在多数固体表面形成生物被膜,在食品生产、加工、运输和保藏过程中,一旦发生细菌感染并形成生物被膜便难以将其彻底清除,严重威胁着食品卫生安全[3],但其生物被膜形成的具体分子机制尚不清楚[4].     

Proton-dependent kinetics of citrate uptake in growing cells of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis bv. diacetylactis

Abstract The kinetic analysis of citrate uptake in growing cells of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis biovar. diacetylactis identified a proton-dependent transport and suggested the divalent anionic species as the form of citrate transported across cell membranes. The reaction followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics for a two-substrate reaction. The limiting steps were the formation of the ternary complex and the rate of transport. Temperature modified the activity of the permease, increasing the uptake rate.     

Gene expression in Lactococcus lactis

Abstract Lactic acid bacteria are of major economic importance, as they occupy a key position in the manufacture of fermented foods. A considerable body of research is currently being devoted to the development of lactic acid bacterial strains with improved characteristics, that may be used to make fermentations pass of more efficiently, or to make new applications possible. Therefore, and because the lactococci are designated 'GRAS' organisms ('generally recognized as safe') which may be used for safe production of foreign proteins, detailed knowledge of homologous and heterologous gene expression in these organisms is desired. An overview is given of our current knowledge concerning gene expression in Lactococcus lactis . A general picture of gene expression signals in L. lactis emerges that shows considerable similarity to those observed in Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis . This feature allowed the expression of a number of L. lactis -derived genes in the latter bacterial species. Several studies have indicated, however, that in spite of the similarities, the expression signals from E. coli, B. subtilis and L. lactis are not equally efficient in these three organisms.     

乳链菌肽前体基因（nisZ）在乳酸乳球菌中的克隆和表达

用PCR技术从克隆有完整乳链菌肽生物合成基因簇（来自于乳链菌肽高产菌株L.lactis AL2)的重组噬菌体λHJ-3中扩增了编码乳链菌肽的前体基因,与pMG36e连接得到重组质粒pHJ201,用电击转化法将pHJ201转化到L.lactis NZ9800中,经活性测定和Tricine－SDS－PAGE电泳证实乳链菌肽前体基因获得了功能表达。DNA序列分析表明乳链菌肽高产菌株L.lactis AL2产生的是NisinZ。发现pHJ201d L.lactis NZ9800 中有良好的稳定性。     

Charged casein-derived oligopeptides competitively inhibit the transport of a reporter oligopeptide by Lactococcus lactis

AIM: To study the effect of casein-derived peptides, accumulated during growth of Lactococcus lactis in milk, on its oligopeptide transport (Opp) function. METHODS AND RESULTS: This effect was estimated by analysing the ability of casein-derived peptides to compete for the transport of a reporter peptide by whole L. lactis cells. The transport of the reported peptide was monitored by determining the intracellular concentrations of the corresponding amino acids by means of reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Uptake of the reporter peptide was competitively inhibited by casein-derived peptides. The competition was only because of charged casein-derived peptides, including anionic peptides. The design of specific pure peptides made it possible to evidence for a positive (or negative) influence exerted by the positively (or negatively) charged side chain of the N-terminal amino acid on the competition. CONCLUSIONS: Charged casein-derived peptides impaired the oligopeptide transport function of L. lactis. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: These results demonstrate an inhibition of Opp when too many peptides are produced by the proteinase. Peptide transport by Opp therefore represents a bottleneck for increasing the growth rate of L. lactis in milk.     

乳酸乳球菌NZ9000基因组规模代谢网络模型的构建与验证

随着后基因组时代的到来,工业微生物的代谢工程改造在工业生产上发挥着越来越重要的作用。而基因组规模代谢网络模型(Genome-scalemetabolicmodel,GSMM)将生物体体内所有已知代谢信息进行整合,为全局理解生物体的代谢状态、理性指导代谢工程改造提供了最佳的平台。乳酸乳球菌NZ9000(Lactococcuslactis NZ9000)作为工业发酵领域的重要菌株之一,由于其遗传背景清晰且几乎不分泌蛋白,是基因工程改造和外源蛋白表达的理想模式菌株。文中基于基因组功能注释和比较基因组学构建了L.lactisNZ9000的首个基因组规模代谢网络模型iWK557,包含557个基因、668个代谢物、840个反应,并进一步在定性和定量两个层次验证了iWK557的准确性,以期为理性指导L. lactis NZ9000代谢工程改造提供良好工具。     

Limitation in the detection of Listeria monocytogenes in food in the presence of competing Listeria innocua

Aims: Detectability of Listeria monocytogenes at 10⁰ CFU per food sample in the presence of Listeria innocua using standard microbiological detection was evaluated and compared with the real‐time PCR‐based method. Methods and Results: Enrichment in half‐Fraser broth followed by subculture in Fraser broth according to EN ISO 11290‐1 was used. False‐negative detection of 10⁰ CFU L. monocytogenes was obtained in the presence of 10¹ CFU L. innocua per sample using the standard detection method in contrast to more than 10⁵ CFU L. innocua per sample using real‐time PCR. Identification of L. monocytogenes on the chromogenic medium by the standard procedure was impossible if L. innocua was able to overgrow L. monocytogenes by more than three orders of magnitude after the enrichment in model samples. These results were confirmed using naturally contaminated food samples. Conclusions: Standard microbiological method was insufficient for the reliable detection of 10⁰ CFU L. monocytogenes in the presence of more than 10⁰ CFU of L. innocua per sample. On the other hand, if the growth of L. monocytogenes was sufficient to reach the concentration equal to the detection limit of PCR, the amount of the other microflora present in the food sample including L. innocua was not relevant for success of the PCR detection of L. monocytogenes. Significance and Impact of the Study: After the enrichment, the PCR detection is more convenient than the standard one as PCR detection is not compromised by other present microflora.     

一株能够利用血红素进行有氧呼吸的乳酸乳球菌

[目的]乳酸乳球菌在呼吸状态下,生长速度快,生物产量大,是改善发酵剂生产效率的潜在途径之一,本研究旨在观察由传统乳制品中分离得到的乳酸乳球菌在血红素存在状态下有氧呼吸情况以及代谢的变化.[方法]对本实验室保藏的12株乳酸乳球菌进行有氧培养实验,比较其生物量和代谢产物的差异.观测在4℃下储藏30 d后的活菌数差异.[结果]筛选出一株在血红素存在条件下进行有氧呼吸的菌株KLDS 4.0316,与没有添加血红素的原菌株相比生物量增长了50%,在4℃储藏30 d后,添加血红素并振荡的活菌数依然维持在100 CFU/mL,而未添加血红素未振荡检测不到活菌.在血红素存在下,KLDS 4.0316代谢产物发生了变化,与没有添加血红素的原菌株相比乳酸产量减少了48%.[结论]KLDS 4.0316在血红素存在条件下能够进行有氧呼吸,乳酸产生减少,生物量增加.     

Dynamic modeling of Listeria monocytogenes growth in pasteurized milk

AIMS: The development and validation of a dynamic model for predicting Listeria monocytogenes growth in pasteurized milk stored at both static and dynamic temperature conditions. METHODS AND RESULTS: Growth of inoculated L. monocytogenes in a commercial pasteurized whole milk product was monitored at various isothermal conditions from 1.5 to 16 degrees C. The kinetic parameters of the pathogen were modelled as a function of temperature using a square root type model, which was further validated using data from 92 published growth curves from eight different milk products. Compared to four published models for L. monocytogenes growth, the model developed in this study performed better, with a per cent discrepancy and bias of 49.1 and -1.01%, respectively. The performance of the model in predicting growth at dynamic temperature conditions was evaluated at four different fluctuating temperature scenarios with periodic temperature changes from -2 to 16 degrees C. The prediction of growth at dynamic storage temperature was based on the square root model in conjunction with the differential equations of the Baranyi and Roberts model, which were numerically integrated with respect to time. The per cent relative errors between the observed and the predicted growth of L. monocytogenes were less than 10% for all temperature scenarios tested. CONCLUSIONS: Available models from experiments conducted in laboratory media may result in significant overestimation of L. monocytogenes growth in pasteurized milk because they do not take into account factors such as milk composition (e.g. natural antimicrobial compounds present in milk) and the interactions of the pathogen with the natural microflora. The product-targeted model developed in the present study showed a high performance in predicting growth of L. monocytogenes in pasteurized milk under both static and dynamic temperature conditions. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Temperature fluctuations often occur during the transportation and storage of pasteurized milk. A high performance, dynamic model for the growth of L. monocytogenes can be a useful tool for effective management and optimization of product safety and can lead to more realistic estimations of pasteurized-milk related safety risks.     

Physical analysis of in vivo pCI301 fusion plasmids in Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis

Abstract In vivo fusion plasmids identified following conjugative mobilization of pCI301, the 75-kilobase (kb) lactose-proteinase plasmid of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis UC317, were characterized. These plasmids (95 kb) were generated from fusion-deletion events involving pCI301 and the 38-kb UC317-derived cryptic plasmid, pCI303. Recombinant plasmids were separable into distinct classes based on their associated phenotypes and restriction maps. The formation of pCI301: : pCI303 composite plasmids within strain UC317 was also demonstrated.