Fatty acid dependent hydrogen peroxide production in Lactobacillus

Lactobacillus leichmanii growing in complex medium supplemented with decanoic acid accumulated high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide in the culture. The H2O2-generating system was specifically induced by one of the saturated fatty acids from 4:0 to 16:0 or oleic acid. The induction of this system was associated with the presence of a fatty acyl-CoA-dependent H2O2-generating activity in the cell-free extracts. This activity is shown for the first time in a procaryote organism.     

Influence of growth conditions on the production of lactocin 705, a bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus casei CRL 705

G.M. VIGNOLO, M.N. DE KAIRUZ, A.P. DE RUIZ HOLGADO AND G. OLIVER. 1995. The effect of growth parameters on the production of lactocin 705 by Lactobacillus casei CRL 705 isolated from dry sausages was studied. The antimicrobial compound was produced during the growth cycle at temperatures between 15 and 30°C. Maximal activity in MRS broth was achieved at pH 6.5-7.5. Investigation into the influence of supplementation and/or replacement of nutrients on lactocin 705 production demonstrated that large quantities of the bacteriocin could be obtained by addition of Tween 80 (0.5-2.0%), glucose (2.0%), tryptone (1.0%) and yeast extract (2.0%). Bacteriocin production did not decrease in the presence of (w/v) 3% NaC1 and 0.02% NaNO₂ in the culture medium. High titres of the antimicrobial compound were obtained in whey permeate supplemented with 2.0% yeast extract and 1.0% Tween 80. Lactocin 705, proved to be stable to pH and temperature at ripening conditions (pH 5.0-6.0 and 15°C) of dry cured sausages.