title: Antimicrobial substance from a human Lactobacillus strain.
abstract: Lactobacillus sp. strain GG, which was isolated from the feces of a normal person, produced a substance with potent inhibitory activity against a wide range of bacterial species. It inhibited anaerobic bacteria (Clostridium spp., Bacteroides spp., Bifidobacterium spp.), members of the family Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas spp. Staphylococcus spp., and Streptococcus spp., as demonstrated by a microbiological assay; however, it did not inhibit other lactobacilli. The inhibitory activity occurred between pH 3 and 5 and was heat stable. Bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli was demonstrated at a dilution of 1:128. The inhibitory substance was distinct from lactic and acetic acids. It had a low molecular weight (less than 1,000) and was soluble in acetone-water (10:1). Because of these characteristics, the inhibitory material could not be considered a bacteriocin; it most closely resembled a microcin, which has been associated previously with members of the family Enterobacteriaceae.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: N V
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Jacobus
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Deneke
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Gorbach
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000494:pharmacology; D019342:Acetic Acid; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D004355:Drug Stability; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007773:Lactates / Q000494:pharmacology; D019344:Lactic Acid; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000378:metabolism*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D007773:Lactates; D019344:Lactic Acid; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases; D019342:Acetic Acid