Stability and antibacterial activity of bacteriocins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. kurstaki

J Microbiol Biotechnol. 2008 Nov;18(11):1836-40. doi: 10.4014/jmb.0800.120.

Abstract

Bacteriocins are antimicrobial peptides that are produced by bacteria and toxic to bacterial strains closely related to the producer strain. It has previously been reported that Bacillus thuringiensis strain NEB17 and Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki BUPM4 produce the bacteriocins thuricin 17 (3,162 Da) and bacthuricin F4 (3,160.05 Da), respectively. Here, we demonstrate that these bacteriocins have functional similarities and show a similar spectrum of antimicrobial activities against indicator strains. We also studied the effects of sterilization methods on the recovery and biological activities of these bacteriocins. They were completely degraded by autoclaving and the two were similarly affected by the tested filter membranes. Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyestersulfone (PES), and cellulose acetate (CA) are suitable for filter sterilization of these bacteriocins. The two bacteriocins were stable across a range of storage conditions. These data will facilitate their utilization in food preservation or agricultural applications.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / isolation & purification
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / metabolism
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / pharmacology
  • Bacillus / classification
  • Bacillus / drug effects
  • Bacillus cereus / drug effects
  • Bacillus megaterium / drug effects
  • Bacillus thuringiensis / classification
  • Bacillus thuringiensis / drug effects
  • Bacillus thuringiensis / metabolism*
  • Bacteriocins* / isolation & purification
  • Bacteriocins* / metabolism
  • Bacteriocins* / pharmacology
  • Drug Stability
  • Hot Temperature
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Bacteriocins
  • thuricin