Production of Bacteriocins by Strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus from Different Animal Origins

Twenty seven strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus among 92 isolated from fecal contents of humans, pigs, calves, chickens, rodents and turkeys demonstrated inhibitory attributed to bacteriocin(s). The bacteriocin(s) were heat stable and nondialyzable proteinous compounds and exhibited narrow inhibitory spectra of activity. Neither hydrogen peroxide nor low pH were responsible for inhibitory action. All of the producer strains were resistant to their own bacteriocin or bacteriocin(s) produced by other strains. The bacteriocins from several strains from different host species were purified for further characterization. The bacteriocin(s) all exhibited similar characteristics.