1. Antarctic bacteria inhibit growth of food-borne microorganisms at low temperatures.
- Author
-
O'Brien A, Sharp R, Russell NJ, and Roller S
- Subjects
- Antarctic Regions, Anti-Bacterial Agents biosynthesis, Anti-Bacterial Agents pharmacology, Bacteria chemistry, Bacteria classification, Bacteria isolation & purification, Bacterial Proteins metabolism, Catalase metabolism, Cluster Analysis, DNA, Bacterial chemistry, DNA, Bacterial genetics, DNA, Ribosomal chemistry, DNA, Ribosomal genetics, Fatty Acids analysis, Oxidoreductases metabolism, Phylogeny, RNA, Ribosomal, 16S genetics, Sequence Analysis, DNA, Antibiosis, Bacteria growth & development, Cold Temperature, Food Microbiology, Soil Microbiology
- Abstract
The aim of this study was to identify Antarctic microorganisms with the ability to produce cold-active antimicrobial compounds with potential for use in chilled food preservation. Colonies (4496) were isolated from 12 Antarctic soil samples and tested against Listeria innocua, Pseudomonas fragi and Brochothrix thermosphacta. Thirteen bacteria were confirmed as being growth-inhibitor producers (detection rate 0.29%). When tested against a wider spectrum of eight target organisms, some of the isolates also inhibited the growth of L. monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus. Six inhibitor producers were psychrotrophic (growth optima between 18 and 24 degrees C), halotolerant (up to 10% NaCl) and catalase-positive; all but one were Gram-positive and oxidase-positive. The inhibitors produced by four bacteria were sensitive to proteases, suggesting a proteinaceous nature. Four of the inhibitor-producers were shown to be species of Arthrobacter, Planococcus and Pseudomonas on the basis of their 16S rRNA gene sequences and fatty acid compositions. It was concluded that Antarctic soils represent an untapped reservoir of novel, cold-active antimicrobial-producers.
- Published
- 2004
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