Antimicrobial Protein Produced by Vaginal Lactobacillus acidophilus that inhibits Gardnerella vaginalis. Issue 1 (2001)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Aroutcheva, Alla A.; Simoes, Jose A.; Faro, Sebastian
• Is Part Of: Infectious diseases in obstetrics and gynecology. Volume 9:Issue 1(2001)
• Page Start: 33
• Page End: 39
• Publication Date: 2001
• Subjects: Generative organs, Female -- Infections -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases in pregnancy -- Periodicals; 618.142005
• DOI: 10.1155/S1064744901000060
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1064-7449

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To isolate bacteriocin from a vaginal strain of Lactobacillus acidophilus . Methods: L. acidophilus 160 was grown on two media. The first was MRS broth for 18 hours; the cells were harvested, washed, and placed into a chemically defined medium. The second medium resembled vaginal fluid minus protein. Bacteriocin was precipitated from both media using ammonium sulfate. The growth-inhibiting activity of bacteriocin was determined by a bioassay using nine different isolates of Gardnerella vaginalis . Results: MRS broth is not a suitable medium for extracting bacteriocin, because it binds with Tween 80. Bacteriocin was isolated, without contaminating constituents, from chemically defined medium and identified as a single band by electrophoresis. Bacteriocin has a molecular weight of 3.8 kDa. All nine isolates of Gardnerella were inhibited by the bacteriocin isolated from L. acidophilus 160. Conclusions: Bacteriocin produced by L. acidophilus 160 was isolated from the chemically defined medium (starvation medium) in a partially pure form. L. acidophilus 160 bacteriocin inhibited growth of all nine isolates of Gardnerella vaginalis .