Bacteriocins are antimicrobial peptides produced by numerous bacteria,
which may present narrow or broad host range. These ribosomally synthesized
antimicrobial peptides are considered a successful strategy in maintaining equilibrium
within a bacterial ecosystem. These compounds kill other bacteria by several
mechanisms, including the modification of membrane permeability and depolarization
of membrane ion gradients, the degradation of nucleic acids or cell walls. In literature,
the term bacteriocin is usually restricted to peptides produced by Gram-positive
bacteria, while in Gram-negative bacteria, mainly enterobacteria, the toxins are called
either colicins (i.e. antibiotic proteins targeting Escherichia coli) or microcins. Many
bacteriocins are produced by food-grade lactic acid bacteria, a phenomenon which
offers the possibility for preventing the development of specific bacterial species in
food. This can be particularly useful in preservation or food safety applications, but
also has implications for the development of desirable flora in fermented food. In this
sense, bacteriocins can be used to confer a protection and at the same time help
processors extend shelf-life after product manufacture.
Keywords: Anticompetitors, Antimicrobial-peptides, Archeosins, Bacteriocins,
Bacteriolytic enzymes, Biopreservation, BLIS, Bovamine, Colicins, Detection,
Enterocin, Food-preservatives, Genetic-regulation, Halocin, Hemolysin,
Immunity, LAB, Lacticin, Lantibiotics, Lysostaphin, Mersacidin, Microcins,
Mode of action, Nisaplin, Nisin, Novasin, Pediocin, Pre-peptide, Secretion, Spoton-
lawn, Streptolysin, Toxin.
