A bacteriocin of 5-kDa in size secreted by Bacillus subtilis 168

Abstract

Bacillus subtilis 168 secreted antimicrobial substance(s) into culture medium and culture supernatant inhibited growth of some Gram positive bacteria. B. cereus and Listeria monocytogenes were the most sensitive organisms. The antimicrobial activity was destroyed when culture supernatant was treated by protease and proteinase K, indicating the proteinous nature of the substance (bacteriocin). The molecular weight of the bacteriocin was estimated to be 5 kDa by Tricine SDS-PAGE. B. cereus ATCC 14579 cells were killed when exposed to the bacteriocin, indicating that the mode of inhibition was bacteriocidal. These results show that B. subtilis 168 could be useful as a starter for fermented foods such as cheonggukjang where B. cereus contamination is a major concern.