Partial characterization of polyfermenticin SCD, a newly identified bacteriocin of Bacillus polyfermenticus.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize polyfermenticin SCD, a newly identified bacteriocin of Bacillus polyfermenticus SCD.


RESULTS
Bacillus polyfermenticus SCD was identified as a bacteriocin producer with a bactericidal activity against Bacillus subtilis IFO 12113. Polyfermenticin SCD, named tentatively as the bacteriocin produced by B. polyfermenticus SCD, showed a narrow spectrum of activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, a yeast and moulds. Production of polyfermenticin SCD in a 5 l jar fermenter followed typical kinetics of primary metabolite synthesis. The antibacterial activity of polyfermenticin SCD on sensitive indicator cells disappeared completely by treatment with proteinase K, which indicates its proteinaceous nature. Polyfermenticin SCD seemed to be very stable throughout the pH range of 2.0 to 9.0, and it was relatively heat labile compared with other bacteriocins. Direct detection of polyfermenticin SCD activity on SDS-PAGE suggested that it had an apparent molecular mass of about 14.3 kDa.


CONCLUSIONS
Bacillus polyfermenticus SCD produced relatively heat-labile polyfermenticin SCD with a narrow spectrum of activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Bacillus polyfermenticus SCD is a commercial probiotic which has been used for the treatment of long-term intestinal disorders. New findings on polyfermenticin SCD will be valuable in the evaluation of commercial probiotics. Polyfermenticin SCD can be used to control Bacillus spoilage organisms as a biological control agent.
Division of Life Sciences, Kyungnam University, Masan, Korea.
K H
KH
Lee
K D
KD
Jun
W S
WS
Kim
H D
HD
Paik
D001407:Bacillus / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects; D001430:Bacteriocins / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D003016:Clostridium perfringens / Q000187:drug effects; D004355:Drug Stability; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008970:Molecular Weight; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects
D001430:Bacteriocins; C426683:polyfermenticin SCD