title: Using heme as an energy boost for lactic acid bacteria.
abstract: Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are a phylogenetically diverse group named for their main attribute in food fermentations, that is, production of lactic acid. However, several LAB are genetically equipped for aerobic respiration metabolism when provided with exogenous sources of heme (and menaquinones for some species). Respiration metabolism is energetically favorable and leads to less oxidative and acid stress during growth. As a consequence, the growth and survival of several LAB can be dramatically improved under respiration-permissive conditions. Respiration metabolism already has industrial applications for the production of dairy starter cultures. In view of the growth and survival advantages conferred by respiration, and the availability of heme and menaquinones in natural environments, we recommend that respiration be accepted as a part of the natural lifestyle of numerous LAB.
authors.affiliation: Institut National de Recherche Agronomique, UMR1319 Micalis, Bâtiment 222, Domaine de Vilvert, 78352 Jouy-en-Josas Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Delphine
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lechardeur
authors.forename: Bénédicte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cesselin
authors.forename: Annabelle
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fernandez
authors.forename: Gilles
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lamberet
authors.forename: Christel
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Garrigues
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gaudu
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gruss
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism*; D006418:Heme / Q000378:metabolism*; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007777:Lactobacillaceae / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D019344:Lactic Acid; D006418:Heme