Application of bacteriocin-producing Enterococcus faecium isolated from donkey milk, in the bio-control of Listeria monocytogenes in fresh whey cheese. (October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Aspri, Maria; O'Connor, Paula M.; Field, Des; Cotter, Paul D.; Ross, Paul; Hill, Colin; Papademas, Photis
• Is Part Of: International dairy journal. Volume 73(2017)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 9
• Publication Date: 2017-10
• Subjects: Dairying -- Periodicals; Industrie laitière -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 338.1762142
• DOI: 10.1016/j.idairyj.2017.04.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0958-6946

Abstract

Abstract: A total of 79 bacterial strains, previously isolated from donkey milk, were screened for their antimicrobial activity against several spoilage and foodborne pathogenic bacteria. Amongst them, 3 strains belonging to Enterococcus faecium displayed antimicrobial activity against Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus . Mass spectrometry analysis demonstrated that all enterococci used in this study produced peptides with masses consistent with those for enterocins A and B. The cell-free supernatants of the identified bacteriocin-producing enterococci were equally active over a wide range of pH and heat treatments making them excellent candidates for potential applications in bio-preservation. Bacteriocins produced by these strains were tested for their capability to control post-processing contamination and growth of L. monocytogenes during refrigerated storage of artificially contaminated fresh whey cheese. One strain was considered bactericidal while the other two were classified as bacteriostatic.