Nisin: Difference between revisions

From Proteopedia
Jump to navigationJump to search
Michal Harel (talk | contribs)
No edit summary
Michal Harel (talk | contribs)
No edit summary
Line 9: Line 9:
Nisin is produced by fermentation using the bacterium ''Lactococcus lactis''.  
Nisin is produced by fermentation using the bacterium ''Lactococcus lactis''.  


While in general most bacteriocins inhibit only closely related species, nisin is a rare example of a "broad-spectrum" bacteriocin effective against many Gram-positive organisms, including lactic acid bacteria (commonly associated with spoilage), ''Listeria monocytogenes'' (a known pathogen), ''Staphylococcus aureus,'' ''Bacillus cereus'', ''Clostridium botulinum'', etc. It is also particularly effective against spores. Gram-negative bacteria are protected by their outer membrane but may become susceptible to nisin action after a heat shock or when this is coupled with the chelator EDTA. Nisin is soluble in water and can be effective at levels nearing the parts-per-billion range<ref>PMID:184764</ref>.
While in general most bacteriocins inhibit only closely related species, nisin is a rare example of a "broad-spectrum" bacteriocin effective against many Gram-positive organisms, including lactic acid bacteria (commonly associated with spoilage), ''Listeria monocytogenes'' (a known pathogen), ''Staphylococcus aureus,'' ''Bacillus cereus'', ''Clostridium botulinum'', etc. It is also particularly effective against spores. Gram-negative bacteria are protected by their outer membrane but may become susceptible to nisin action after a heat shock or when this is coupled with the chelator EDTA. Nisin is soluble in water and can be effective at levels nearing the parts-per-billion range<ref>PMID:2119570</ref>.


== Disease ==
== Disease ==