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Summary: The urgent investigation of antimicrobial films is imperative to mitigate the proliferation of pathogens in food, extending product shelf life and ensuring food safety, crucial aspects for public health and the sustainability of the global food system. We developed cassava starch‐based films containing 1% and 2% biogenic selenium nanoparticles (Bio‐SeNPs) produced by enterocin MF5 to assess antimicrobial activity. The addition of Bio‐SeNPs altered the luminosity and gave a reddish hue to the films. UV–visible, FTIR, and thermogram analyses revealed intermolecular interactions between the starch and Bio‐SeNPs. Scanning electron microscopy showed a smooth and homogeneous surface of the nanocomposite films. Water vapour permeability ranged from 9.4 to 0.68 g mm h−1 m−2 kPa−1, lower than control values. Swelling values were higher in the film containing 1% Bio‐SeNPs, and water vapour transmission was lower. The films exhibited MICs of 5.5 μL mL−1 for Listeria spp., 10.9 μL mL−1 for Salmonella spp., and 250 μL mL−1 for Escherichia coli. Antimicrobial activity ranged from 1.5–1.9 log and 1.6–2.0 log in liquid medium and dry film, respectively, after 24 h. The films were also applied to cherry tomatoes without altering their characteristics compared to the positive control. Our study demonstrated the high potential of using Bio‐SeNPs in biodegradable films to prevent food contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the ability of some metal-resistant lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to remove cadmium in order to highlight the importance of probiotic LAB in the detoxification of these pollutants at the level of the digestive tract or in fermented foods. Infant feces samples were used to isolate Cd-resistant LAB, they were screened using the spread plate technique on agar media after being supplemented with cadmium at an initial concentration of 50 mg.L-1. In this research, out of 106 isolates tested for Cdresistance, 11 isolates were selected based on their high capacity to grow in presence of cadmium. After which they were tested for their ability to resist different heavy metals and for probiotic properties. The study was completed using the isolate E1T1 identified as Enterococcus durans based on 16S rRNA gene sequence, which showed the highest cadmium (MIC 600 mg.L-1) and other heavy metals resistance capacity and better probiotic properties. The selected isolate presented strong adhesion ability to epithelial cells, good antibacterial activity, and was non-hemolytic. Furthermore, it had excellent cadmium removal efficiencies, with rates of 65.94% and 28.78% after 96 hours in living and dead cells, respectively. E. durans E1T1 had also high cadmium accumulation efficiencies, with an estimated value of 11.47 mg Cd.g-1 of cells (wet weight). According to the findings from the study, the Cd-resistant E. durans E1T1 may be employed as a promising probiotic isolate for removing cadmium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactic acid bacteria are widely used because they produce lactic acid naturally, are resistant to acidic pH and a wide temperature range, and frequently produce lactic acid as a primary metabolite. In this study, Enterococcus durans isolated from buffalo milk was employed in lactic acid fermentation with the primary goal of obtaining fermentation parameters for an effective process enabling the use of lactose as an alternative carbon source. Fermentative parameters such as initial concentration of carbon source, dissolved oxygen concentration, cell recycling, and batch with pulse operation mode were studied to find the best conditions for L-(+)-lactic acid production. The association of 20 g·L−1 of lactose with 10 g·L−1 of glucose enabled the best bioconversion to lactic acid. Anaerobiosis did not contribute to increasing lactic acid production. Batch fermentation with cell recycling was the strategy that enhanced lactic acid production and lactose consumption, reaching 26.07 g·L−1, 0.36 g·L−1 ·h−1 of productivity and yielding about 0.86 g·g−1. It is fundamental to evaluate the parameters of lactic acid fermentation and provide efficient and sustainable production methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, we report the isolation of Enterococcus durans EDD2, which showed strong inhibitory activity against Paenibacillus larvae, the causative agent of the American foulbrood disease (AFB). The strain was found in freshly collected pollen granules from four beehives in Dushantzi village (Pirdop region, Bulgaria), and was determined by polyphase approach including molecular, biochemical, and physiological tests. Whole-genome sequencing by the Illumina HiSeq NGS platform with 2 x 150 bases paired-end reads revealed the presence of two contigs containing genetic determinants for Enterocin L50A/L50B and Enterocin P -like bacteriocins, the first ones being carried out by the chromosome, while the second one being present on a putative plasmid. E. durans EDD2 was also subjected to genetic and microbiological tests for several pathogenicity factors, and none was found. These results, combined with the fact that the strain was present in four, but not all of the 15 beehives in the apiary, suggest that it is not a result from some human or animal fecal or other types of contamination in the adjacent fields, but rather it is maintained within the bees microbiomes and was transferred to the pollen granules by the insects' saliva. It was proven that E. durans EDD2 possesses a strong probiotic inhibitory activity against P. larvae due to the production of bacteriocins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactic acid bacteria are widely used because they produce lactic acid naturally, are resistant to acidic pH and a wide temperature range, and frequently produce lactic acid as a primary metabolite. In this study, Enterococcus durans isolated from buffalo milk was employed in lactic acid fermentation with the primary goal of obtaining fermentation parameters for an effective process enabling the use of lactose as an alternative carbon source. Fermentative parameters such as initial concentration of carbon source, dissolved oxygen concentration, cell recycling, and batch with pulse operation mode were studied to find the best conditions for L-(+)-lactic acid production. The association of 20 g·L−1 of lactose with 10 g·L−1 of glucose enabled the best bioconversion to lactic acid. Anaerobiosis did not contribute to increasing lactic acid production. Batch fermentation with cell recycling was the strategy that enhanced lactic acid production and lactose consumption, reaching 26.07 g·L−1, 0.36 g·L−1·h−1 of productivity and yielding about 0.86 g·g−1. It is fundamental to evaluate the parameters of lactic acid fermentation and provide efficient and sustainable production methods.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are important components of the human microbiome. While they are capable both of synthesis and response to the signals of the human humoral regulatory system (hormones and neuromediators), the phenomenology and mechanisms of the LAB response to these mediators are insufficiently studied. This work showed estrogen to hinder the growth and development of E. durans, while norepinephrine, estrogen, and the brain natriuretic peptide caused dose-dependent extension of the stationary growth phase. This is the first report on stimulation of E. durans biofilm formation by the atrial natriuretic peptide and estrogen. The frequency of persister formation depended on the type of bacterial growth (planktonic or biofilm one) and was higher in the case of biofilm growth. Epinephrine and norepinephrine exhibited dose-dependent stimulation of persister formation in planktonic LAB cultures, while other tested hormones inhibited it. The effect on persister formation in biofilms was different: natriuretic peptides exhibited dose-dependent stimulation of persister formation, and none of the hormones inhibited it significantly. After several months of incubation, E. durans persister cells matured to anabiotic dormant forms with the typical ultrastructural features. The population of E. durans dormant forms was first shown to contain the form with different dormancy depth, including the viable uncultured ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this experiment was to study the effects of Enterococcus durans D22 and its fermentation broth on the growth performance, serum biochemical indexes, intestinal morphology and cecal microbial flora of broilers. One hundred and fifty Ross 308 broiler roosters with similar weight and good health at 1 day of age were randomly divided into 3 groups of 5 replicates, with 10 broilers in each replicate. The basis diet was fed in control group, 40 mg/kg chlortetracycline was added in antibiotic group, and 2×108 CFU/kg Enterococcus durans and 6% concentrated fermentation of Enterococcus durans D22 were added in D22 group. The experimental period was 42 days which was divided into two stages: 1- 21 days and 22-42 days. The results showed: ① from 1 to 21 days, compared with the control group, the average daily gain and average daily feed intake of broilers in the D22 group were significantly higher (P<0.05) and the feed-to-weight ratio was significantly lower (P<0.05). ② The serum albumin and immunoglobulin A contents of broilers in the D22 group were significantly increased (P<0.05) compared with the control group and the antibiotic group; serum total protein, immunoglobulin G content was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). ③ Compared with the control group and the antibiotic group, the duodenal villus height in the D22 group was significantly increased(P<0.05); the crypt depth of the duodenum and jejunum was significantly decreased and the villus was high /crypt depth was significantly increased (P<0.05). ④ At the phylum level, compared with the control group, the relative abundances of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria in the caecal microorganisms of broilers in the antibiotic group and D22 group were significantly decreased (P<0.05). At the genus level, the relative abundance of Faecalibacterium in the caecal flora of broilers in the antibiotic group and D22 group was significantly increased, and the relative abundance of Stenotrophomonas was significantly decreased compared with the control group (P<0.05).To sum up, dietary supplementation of 2×108 CFU/kg Enterococcus durans and 6% Enterococcus durans D22 concentrated fermentation broth can significantly improve the growth performance of 1-42-day-old Ross broilers and reduce cecal harmful flora; And it is more effective than antibiotics in promoting immune function and small intestine development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Diarrhea remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in neonatal foals, and correct identification of etiologic agents is essential for effective disease management. Objective To examine the association between diarrhea and detection of Enterococcus durans or other enteropathogens in neonatal foals on 1 breeding farm in Kentucky, USA. Animals Fifty‐nine Thoroughbred foals and their broodmares. Methods Prospective observational study. Study foals and broodmares were sampled and tested for E. durans and other enteropathogens during the first 10 days after foaling. The frequency of foals in which E. durans or other enteropathogens was compared between foals with or without diarrhea. Results Seven of 59 foals developed diarrhea. The frequency of foals with E. durans infection was higher in foals with diarrhea 5/7 (71%), compared to foals without diarrhea 0/51 (0%; P

The promotion of human health through natural approaches like functional foods and probiotics is in high demand. The medicinal plants are the major feed of Moroccan dromedary, which improves the functional properties of their milk. A few studies have reported the probiotic and functional aptitudes of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) of this milk. In this context, our study aimed to identify LAB isolated from Moroccan raw camel milk and investigate their probiotic features and their fermentation profile. The molecular identification of twelve isolates indicated that they belong to Pediococcus pentosaceus, Enterococcus faecium, and Enterococcus durans. All LAB strains displayed high tolerance to gastrointestinal conditions (survival rate of 31.85–96.52% in pH 2.5, 35.23–99.05% in 0.3 bile salts, and 26.9–90.96% in pepsin), strong attachment abilities (auto-aggregation and hydrophobicity ranged from 28.75 to 95.9% and from 80.47 to 96.37%, respectively), and high co-aggregation ability with pathogenic bacteria. Importantly, they did not present antibiotic resistance or hemolytic activity. Our LAB strains demonstrated antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Salmonella enterica. Moreover, they could acidify cow milk (ΔpH of 2.55 after 24 h) and improve its antioxidant ability (inhibition of 36.77% of DPPH). Based on the multivariate analysis, Pediococcus pentosaceus Pd24, Pd29, Pd38, Enterococcus faecium Ef18, and Enterococcus durans Ed22 were selected as the most promising probiotics. Therefore, we propose that Pediococcus pentosaceus isolated from camel milk could be used as potential probiotic strains and/or starter cultures in functional milk fermentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enterococci are commensals of the human intestinal tract. Their use as probiotics is supported by their ability to confer several health benefits and eliminate foodborne pathogens but is controversial due to the presence of virulence and antibiotic resistance traits. To use them as probiotics requires thorough research to establish their safety. Here, we sequenced the whole genome of a newly isolated Enterococcus durans MN187066 and used a suite of bioinformatics tools to analyze its beneficial probiotic traits as well as antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes. The whole genome had a length of 2   978 152 bp, and an average G + C content of 37.88%. The bopABCD genes involved in biofilm formation were annotated in the genome. However, further analysis showed that these genes are mostly helpful in strengthening their colonization and establishment in the gastrointestinal tract. Also, we identified secondary metabolite gene clusters and the bacteriocins Enterolysin A and Enterocin P. We also identified repUS15 and rep1 replicons and genes that were associated with antimicrobial resistance and virulence. Nevertheless, vancomycin resistance genes were not detected. Our results show that the Ent. durans strain MN187066 can be considered a nontoxigenic strain and produces beneficial metabolites that are critical for their success as probiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Introduction: Probiotics, including lactobacilli, have immunomodulatory activities with promising effects on inflammatory diseases. In this study, we evaluate the effect of Enterococcus durans (Edu) and three various strains of lactobacilli (Lacto-mix), including L. rhamnosus, L. casei, and L. plantarum, to prevent Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) features Methods: C57BL/6 female mice were inoculated with Myelin Oigodendrocyte Glycoprotein (MOG35-55) in CFA (complete Freund’s adjuvant) to induce EAE. Five groups (n=6 in each group) of animals received saline or probiotics by oral gavage with 200 µL of lactobacilli (1.5×108 CFU/mL) for 2 weeks before the immunization and during the test for one month. Results: Histopathological studies showed an increase in infiltration of inflammatory cells and destruction of the myelin membrane in the EAE group but a decrease in inflammatory cells in the probiotic-treated animals. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (Interleukin [IL]-17 and Interferon [IFN]-γ) concentration in the supernatant of the brain and spinal cord tissues showed a significant increase in the EAE compared with the normal saline group (P

Background: Diarrhea remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in neonatal foals, and correct identification of etiologic agents is essential for effective disease management. Objective: To examine the association between diarrhea and detection of Enterococcus durans or other enteropathogens in neonatal foals on 1 breeding farm in Kentucky, USA. Animals: Fifty‐nine Thoroughbred foals and their broodmares. Methods: Prospective observational study. Study foals and broodmares were sampled and tested for E. durans and other enteropathogens during the first 10 days after foaling. The frequency of foals in which E. durans or other enteropathogens was compared between foals with or without diarrhea. Results: Seven of 59 foals developed diarrhea. The frequency of foals with E. durans infection was higher in foals with diarrhea 5/7 (71%), compared to foals without diarrhea 0/51 (0%; P <.01). Detection of E. durans in foals was associated with detection of E. durans in broodmares; in 2/7 (29%) foals with diarrhea, the 2 broodmares tested positive for E. durans, and, in 51/51 (100%) foals without diarrhea, all broodmares tested negative to E. durans (P =.01). Based on the spatial and temporal distribution of foals with diarrhea, 5 of 6 additional cases of diarrhea were attributed to lateral transmission of E. durans infection. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Detection of E. durans was associated with diarrhea in foals. Implementation of enhanced biosecurity measures might mitigate disease transmission associated with E. durans infection in foals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigates the effects of Enterococcus durans ED26E/7 beneficial strain and its enterocin – durancin (Ent) ED26E/7 on selected parameters in rabbits: growth performance, caecal enzymatic activity, jejunal morphometry and meat physico-chemical characteristics. Seventytwo rabbits (aged five weeks, M91 meat line, both sexes) were divided into experimental groups E1 (E. durans ED26E/7 strain; dose 500 μL/animal/day, concentration 109 CFU/mL) and E2 (durancin EntED26E/7; dose 50 μL/animal/day, with activity 12 800 AU/mL) and control group (C). The additives were administered in drinking water for a period of 21 days. All animals remained in good health during the experiment. The highest body weight gain (increase by 1.5% compared to C) was noted in E1 group during ED26E/7 strain application (P<0.001). Both bioactive compounds positively influenced (reduced) the feed conversion ratio (P<0.001). The ED26E/7 strain and its EntED26E/7 application stimulated the activity of most enzymes tested in the caecum; only the amylolytic and inulolytic activity in E2 group decreased during durancin ED26E/7 addition. Both additives, but mainly the ED26E/7 strain, showed a tendency to improve the jejunal morhological parameters till the end of the experiment (day 42). The meat physico-chemical parameters were not negatively influenced by the application of E. durans ED26E/7 strain and its durancin ED26E/7. The diet supplementation with bacteriocinogenic and probiotic E. durans ED26E/7 strain and its EntED26E/7 may improve the growth performance, caecal enzymatic activity and jejunal morphometry of rabbits, without any negative effect on rabbit meat quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Probiotics, including lactobacilli, have immunomodulatory activities with promising effects on inflammatory diseases. In this study, we evaluate the effect of Enterococcus durans (Edu) and three various strains of lactobacilli (Lacto-mix), including L. rhamnosus, L. casei, and L. plantarum, to prevent Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) features Methods: C57BL/6 female mice were inoculated with Myelin Oigodendrocyte Glycoprotein (MOG35-55) in CFA (complete Freund's adjuvant) to induce EAE. Five groups (n=6 in each group) of animals received saline or probiotics by oral gavage with 200 µL of lactobacilli (1.5×108 CFU/mL) for 2 weeks before the immunization and during the test for one month. Results: Histopathological studies showed an increase in infiltration of inflammatory cells and destruction of the myelin membrane in the EAE group but a decrease in inflammatory cells in the probiotic-treated animals. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (Interleukin [IL]-17 and Interferon [IFN]-1) concentration in the supernatant of the brain and spinal cord tissues showed a significant increase in the EAE compared with the normal saline group (P<0.01). While in the spinal cord tissue, there was a decrease in IL-17 in those animals treated with the Lactomix and Edu + Lacto-mix (P<0.01) and a significant decrease in IFN-1 in those animals that received Edu (P<0.05). Western blot analysis of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and myelin basic protein showed a decrease and increase in treatment and EAE groups, respectively, compared to the normal control group. Conclusion: Our data suggest that probiotic Enterococcus durans and Lacto-mix prevents EAE, but further studies are needed to clarify the exact mechanisms and their application in preclinical and clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the probiotic characteristics and safety of Enterococcus durans isolate A8-1 from a fecal sample of a healthy Chinese infant, we determined the tolerance to low pH, survival in bile salts and NaCl, adhesion ability, biofilm formation, antimicrobial activity, toxin gene distribution, hemolysis, gelatinase activity, antibiotic resistance, and virulence to Galleria mellonella and interpreted the characters by genome resequencing. Phenotypically, E. durans A8-1 survived at pH 5.0 in 7.0% NaCl and 3% bile salt under aerobic and anaerobic condition. The bacterium had higher adhesion ability toward mucin, collagen, and Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) in vitro and showed high hydrophobicity (79.2% in chloroform, 49.2% in xylene), auto-aggregation activity (51.7%), and could co-aggregate (66.2%) with Salmonella typhimurium. It had adhesion capability to intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells (38.74%) with moderate biofilm production and antimicrobial activity against several Gram-positive pathogenic bacteria. A8-1 can antagonize the adhesion of S. typhimurium ATCC14028 on Caco-2 cells to protect the integrity of the cell membrane by detection of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and AKP activities. A8-1 also helps the cell relieve the inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide by reducing the expression of cytokine IL-8 (P = 0.002) and TNF-α (P > 0.05), and increasing the IL-10 (P < 0.001). For the safety evaluation, A8-1 showed no hemolytic activity, no gelatinase activity, and had only asa1 positive in the seven detected virulence genes in polymerase chain reaction (PCR), whereas it was not predicted in the genome sequence. It was susceptible to benzylpenicillin, ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, tigecycline, nitrofurantoin, linezolid, vancomycin, erythromycin, and quinupristin/dalofopine except clindamycin, which was verified by the predicted lasA , lmrB , lmrC , and lmrD genes contributing to the clindamycin resistance. The virulence test of G. mellonella showed that it had toxicity lower than 10% at 1 × 107 CFU. According to the results of these evaluated attributes, E. durans strain A8-1 could be a promising probiotic candidate for applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Slovak ewe’s milk lump cheese is produced from unpasteurized ewe’s milk without any added culture. Because of the traditional processing and shaping by hand into a lump, this cheese was given the traditional specialty guaranteed (TSG) label. Up till now, there have existed only limited detailed studies of individual microbiota and their benefits in ewe’s milk lump cheese. Therefore, this study has been focused on the beneficial properties and safety of Enterococcus durans strains with the aim to contribute to basic dairy microbiology but also for further application potential and strategy. The total enterococcal count in cheeses reached 3.93 CFU/g (log 10) ± 1.98 on average. Based on a MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry evaluation, the strains were allotted to the species E. durans (score, 1.781–2.245). The strains were gelatinase and hemolysis-negative (γ-hemolysis) and were mostly susceptible to commercial antibiotics. Among the strains, E. durans ED26E/7 produced the highest value of lactase enzyme β-galactosidase (10 nmoL). ED26E/7 was absent of virulence factor genes such as Hyl (hyaluronidase), IS 16 element and gelatinase (GelE). To test safety, ED26E/7 did not cause mortality in Balb/c mice. Its partially purified bacteriocin substance showed the highest inhibition activity/bioactivity against Gram-positive indicator bacteria: the principal indicator Enterococcus avium EA5 (102,400 AU/mL), Staphylococcus aureus SA5 and listeriae (25,600 AU/mL). Moreover, 16 staphylococci (out of 22) were inhibited (100 AU/mL), and the growth of 36 (out of 51) enterococcal indicators was as well. After further technological tests, E. durans ED26E/7, with its bacteriocin substance, can be supposed as a promising additive to dairy products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the annotated draft genome sequence of Enterococcus durans EDD2 strain isolated from freshly collected pollen granules derived from three different beehives. This isolate showed strong inhibitory activity in vitro against Paenibacillus larvae ATCC 9545; thus the genome sequence presented here will contribute to a better understanding of its protective potential against bacterial pathogen invasion, as well as to the assessment of its beneficial potential for the bee colonies.

Enterococcus durans is an extremely rare cause of infective endocarditis. We have reported the first case where a 56-year-old female presented with late prosthetic valve infective endocarditis on a mechanical mitral valve. Medical management failed and eventually lead to the demise of the patient.

To evaluate the probiotic characteristics and safety of Enterococcus durans isolate A8-1 from a fecal sample of a healthy Chinese infant, we determined the tolerance to low pH, survival in bile salts and NaCl, adhesion ability, biofilm formation, antimicrobial activity, toxin gene distribution, hemolysis, gelatinase activity, antibiotic resistance, and virulence to Galleria mellonella and interpreted the characters by genome resequencing. Phenotypically, E. durans A8-1 survived at pH 5.0 in 7.0% NaCl and 3% bile salt under aerobic and anaerobic condition. The bacterium had higher adhesion ability toward mucin, collagen, and Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) in vitro and showed high hydrophobicity (79.2% in chloroform, 49.2% in xylene), auto-aggregation activity (51.7%), and could co-aggregate (66.2%) with Salmonella typhimurium. It had adhesion capability to intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells (38.74%) with moderate biofilm production and antimicrobial activity against several Gram-positive pathogenic bacteria. A8-1 can antagonize the adhesion of S. typhimurium ATCC14028 on Caco-2 cells to protect the integrity of the cell membrane by detection of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and AKP activities. A8-1 also helps the cell relieve the inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide by reducing the expression of cytokine IL-8 (P = 0.002) and TNF-α (P > 0.05), and increasing the IL-10 (P < 0.001). For the safety evaluation, A8-1 showed no hemolytic activity, no gelatinase activity, and had only asa1 positive in the seven detected virulence genes in polymerase chain reaction (PCR), whereas it was not predicted in the genome sequence. It was susceptible to benzylpenicillin, ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, tigecycline, nitrofurantoin, linezolid, vancomycin, erythromycin, and quinupristin/dalofopine except clindamycin, which was verified by the predicted lasA, lmrB, lmrC, and lmrD genes contributing to the clindamycin resistance. The virulence test of G. mellonella showed that it had toxicity lower than 10% at 1 × 107 CFU. According to the results of these evaluated attributes, E. durans strain A8-1 could be a promising probiotic candidate for applications.

Lipase activity of 50 lactic acid bacteria isolated from milk and milk products were screened. E114 and E114.11 isolates were chosen for enzyme production due to their high activity. Sequence analysis results of test bacteria according to 16S rRNA gene region were determined as Enterococcus durans. Optimum production conditions for lipase production have been determined. These conditions are: Providing a medium prepared with 5% peptone and 5% glucose as nitrogen and carbon source, shaking at 120 rpm for 48 hours at pH 6.5 and incubating at 40-60°C. Enzymes belonging to E. durans isolates showed the highest activity in the environment with pH 9 and containing 20% salt. It has been found that the effects of various cations and surfactants are different. Enzymes show activity at low and high temperatures. Stability of enzyme activity for 48 hours at 5°C is also important for the food industry. Its usability in fermented products such as meat and dairy products is promising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An Enterococcus durans strain, designated OSY-EGY, was previously isolated from artisanal cheese. In this work, comparative genomic and phenotypic analyses were utilized to assess the safety characteristics and probiotic traits of the bacterium. The comparative genomic analysis revealed that the strain is distantly related to potentially pathogenic Enterococcus spp. The genome was devoid of genes encoding acquired antibiotic resistance or marker virulence factors associated with Enterococcus spp. Phenotypically, the bacterium is susceptible to vancomycin, ampicillin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, and aminoglycosides and does not have any hemolytic or gelatinase activity, or cytotoxic effect on Caco-2 cells. Altogether, these findings confirm the lack of hazardous traits in E. durans OSY-EGY. Mining E. durans OSY-EGY genome, for probiotic-related sequences, revealed genes associated with acid and bile salts tolerance, adhesion, competitiveness, antioxidant activitiy, antimicrobial activity, essential amino acids production, and vitamins biosynthesis. Phenotypically, E. durans OSY-EGY was tolerant to acidic pH (3.0), and presence of 0.3% bile salts. The bacterium showed adhesion capability to Caco-2 cells, cholesterol-lowering effect, DPPH scavenging activity, and antimicrobial activity against several Gram-positive pathogenic bacteria. Based on the current work, we propose that E. durans OSY-EGY is a potentially safe strain with desirable probiotic and antimicrobial traits. Thus, the investigated strain could be a promising candidate for several industrial applications.

An Enterococcus durans strain, designated OSY-EGY, was previously isolated from artisanal cheese. In this work, comparative genomic and phenotypic analyses were utilized to assess the safety characteristics and probiotic traits of the bacterium. The comparative genomic analysis revealed that the strain is distantly related to potentially pathogenic Enterococcus spp. The genome was devoid of genes encoding acquired antibiotic resistance or marker virulence factors associated with Enterococcus spp. Phenotypically, the bacterium is susceptible to vancomycin, ampicillin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, and aminoglycosides and does not have any hemolytic or gelatinase activity, or cytotoxic effect on Caco-2 cells. Altogether, these findings confirm the lack of hazardous traits in E. durans OSY-EGY. Mining E. durans OSY-EGY genome, for probiotic-related sequences, revealed genes associated with acid and bile salts tolerance, adhesion, competitiveness, antioxidant activitiy, antimicrobial activity, essential amino acids production, and vitamins biosynthesis. Phenotypically, E. durans OSY-EGY was tolerant to acidic pH (3.0), and presence of 0.3% bile salts. The bacterium showed adhesion capability to Caco-2 cells, cholesterol-lowering effect, DPPH scavenging activity, and antimicrobial activity against several Gram-positive pathogenic bacteria. Based on the current work, we propose that E. durans OSY-EGY is a potentially safe strain with desirable probiotic and antimicrobial traits. Thus, the investigated strain could be a promising candidate for several industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infections present a growing problem in medicine due to a significant increase in the number of implanted devices and the age of the recipient population. Enterococcus spp. are Gram-positive, facultative anaerobic, lactic acid bacteria; they are relatively common pathogens in humans, but uncommon as the cause of CIED lead infections. Only eight cases of Enterococcus durans endocarditis have been reported in the literature thus far; however, there are no reported cases of Enterococcus durans CIED lead infection. Case presentation: A 58-year-old gentleman with a previously implanted St. Jude Medical single-chamber implantable cardioverter–defibrillator (ICD) due to tachy/brady arrhythmias presented with nonspecific constitutional symptoms (i.e., low-grade fevers, chills, fatigue), and was found to have innumerable bilateral pulmonary nodules via computed tomography angiography of the chest. Many of these pulmonary nodules were cavitated and highly concerning for septic pulmonary emboli and infarcts. Within 24 h from presentation, blood cultures in all four culture bottles grew ampicillin- and vancomycin-susceptible Enterococcus durans. Transthoracic echocardiogram confirmed vegetations on the ICD lead in the right ventricle. The patient underwent laser extraction of the ICD lead with generator removal and recovered completely after a 6-week intravenous antibiotic course. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first report of CIED lead infection caused by Enterococcus durans. In this case, management with antibiotics along with ICD lead extraction led to complete recovery. Clinicians should be aware of this rare but potentially devastating infection in patients with native and artificial valves, but also in those with CIEDs.

Abstract Background Enterococci are commensal bacteria in the mammalian gastrointestinal tract which play an important role in the production of various fermented foods. Thus, certain enterococcal strains are commonly used as probiotics to confer health benefits to human and animals. Enterococcus durans KLDS6.0933 is a potential probiotic strain with high cholesterol removal ability, which was isolated from traditional naturally fermented cream in Inner Mongolia of China. To better understand the genetic basis of the probiotic properties of this strain, the whole-genome sequence was performed using the PacBio RSII platform. Results Enterococcus durans KLDS6.0933 contains a circular chromosome of 2,867,028 bp, two plasmids of 163,286 bp and 41,490 bp, respectively. Within the 2704 predicted genes, genes involved with acid, bile and oxidative stress resistance were identified. Bile salt hydrolase (BSH, LIANG_RS13510), a cholesterol removal enzyme identified in the E. durans KLDS6.0933 genome is different from that of other Enterococcus strains. Furthermore, unlike other Enterococcus strains, E. durans KLDS 6.0933 can facilitate the complete biosynthesis pathway of l-tryptophan. Conclusions In silico analysis confirmed the probiotic properties of E. durans KLDS6.0933 and may help us exploit the potential applications of E. durans KLDS6.0933 as an industrially important strain.

Slovak ewe’s milk lump cheese is produced from unpasteurized ewe’s milk without any added culture. Because of the traditional processing and shaping by hand into a lump, this cheese was given the traditional specialty guaranteed (TSG) label. Up till now, there have existed only limited detailed studies of individual microbiota and their benefits in ewe’s milk lump cheese. Therefore, this study has been focused on the beneficial properties and safety of Enterococcus durans strains with the aim to contribute to basic dairy microbiology but also for further application potential and strategy. The total enterococcal count in cheeses reached 3.93 CFU/g (log 10) ± 1.98 on average. Based on a MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry evaluation, the strains were allotted to the species E. durans (score, 1.781–2.245). The strains were gelatinase and hemolysis-negative (γ-hemolysis) and were mostly susceptible to commercial antibiotics. Among the strains, E. durans ED26E/7 produced the highest value of lactase enzyme β-galactosidase (10 nmoL). ED26E/7 was absent of virulence factor genes such as Hyl (hyaluronidase), IS 16 element and gelatinase (GelE). To test safety, ED26E/7 did not cause mortality in Balb/c mice. Its partially purified bacteriocin substance showed the highest inhibition activity/bioactivity against Gram-positive indicator bacteria: the principal indicator Enterococcus avium EA5 (102,400 AU/mL), Staphylococcus aureus SA5 and listeriae (25,600 AU/mL). Moreover, 16 staphylococci (out of 22) were inhibited (100 AU/mL), and the growth of 36 (out of 51) enterococcal indicators was as well. After further technological tests, E. durans ED26E/7, with its bacteriocin substance, can be supposed as a promising additive to dairy products.

Enterococcus durans is an extremely rare cause of infective endocarditis. We have reported the first case where a 56-year-old female presented with late prosthetic valve infective endocarditis on a mechanical mitral valve. Medical management failed and eventually lead to the demise of the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Chinese rice wine (CRW; a traditional alcoholic beverage in China with unique flavor and high nutritional value) containing high level of biogenic amines (BAs) may be deleterious to human health. The processes of rice soaking, primary fermentation and secondary fermentation were found to be the major factors for accumulation of BAs during industrial CRW production. RESULTS: To reduce the risk of the formation of BAs in CRW production, Enterococcus durans AR315, a BA‐negative lactic acid bacterium, was isolated from CRW samples by PCR‐based molecular marker reverse screening in this work. With addition of AR315 during steeping rice phase, the level of total BAs was significantly decreased by 45.1% in comparison with the control. Moreover, the final BA concentration with the addition of AR315 was 27.6% lower than that of the control during fermentation phase. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first report of decreased accumulation of BAs in CRW production using a BA‐negative lactic acid bacterium. Hence, using a BA‐negative lactic acid bacterium as a starter culture could be an efficient strategy for significantly reducing the formation of BAs, which has the potential for industrial application in CRW production. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, some probiotic characteristics such as antimicrobial activity, vancomycin resistance, growth ability at pH, resistance to bile salts, bile salt deconjugation and hydrophobicity of 30 Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus durans strains isolated and identified from raw milk and various dairy products were investigated. According to the study results, antimicrobial activity profiling, pH and bile salt resistance and bile salt deconjugation ability of Enterococcus strains varied depending on the species and strains and all the strains showed resistance to the tested bile salt concentrations. It was concluded that the E. faecium and E. durans strains tested showed probiotic characteristics and have the potential to be used in food production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of Enterococcus faecalis and E. faecium bacteremia are well known, those of E. durans bacteremia are still largely unclear. We retrospectively identified 80 adult E. durans bacteremia cases treated at our 2700-bed tertiary care hospital between January 1997 and December 2016. We compared the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of the adult patients with E. durans bacteremia (case group) with those of E. faecalis and E. faecium bacteremia cases (two control groups). The case and control groups were matched for sex, age, and date of onset of bacteremia. E. durans was responsible for 1.2% of all enterococcal bacteremia cases at our hospital. Of 80 cases, 39 (48.8%) had biliary tract infection and 18 (22.5%) had urinary tract infection. Community-onset bacteremia was more frequent in the case group than in the control groups (56.2% vs. 35.0% vs. 21.2%, p < 0.01). Infective endocarditis tended to be more common in the E. durans group (7.5% vs. 1.2% vs. 1.2%, p = 0.05). The majority of E. durans isolates were susceptible to penicillin (66/76, 86.8%), ampicillin (67/76, 88.2%), and vancomycin (75/76, 98.7%). The case group had significantly lower all-cause mortality (20.0% vs. 31.2% vs. 42.5%, p < 0.01) and bacteremia-related mortality (2.5% vs. 16.2% vs. 18.8%, p < 0.01) than the control groups. E. durans bacteremia mainly originates from the biliary or urinary tract and is associated with a lower risk of mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Enterococcus durans KLDS6.0930 has previously been shown to have probiotic potential. However, being a potential clinical pathogen, it becomes necessary to evaluate its safety status for novel potential probiotic use. The purpose of this study is to systematically evaluate the safety of E. durans KLDS6.0930 based on its genomics, phenotypic characteristics and oral toxicity. The complete genome of E. durans KLDS6.0930 was sequenced and analyzed for safety-related genes. Antibiotic susceptibility and the production of harmful metabolites were tested. A 28-day repeated oral dose toxicity test was implemented in rats. In vitro, E. durans KLDS6.0930 was resistant to five antibiotics, with intrinsic resistances to four antibiotics and no identified genes for the last. E. durans KLDS6.0930 was not hemolytic and virulence factors were non-functional in its genome. E. durans KLDS6.0930 produced a small amount of tyramine and phenethylamine; genes encoding tyramine decarboxylase were identified. In addition, genotype and phenotype analyses showed that the strain did not have the ability to generate D-lactic acid, indole, or nitroreductase. In vivo, E. durans KLDS6.0930 did not induce adverse effects on the organs, hematological and serum biochemical parameters, or cecal bacterial populations in the oral toxicity test. These results indicate that E. durans KLDS6.0930 can be safely used as a potential probiotic for human consumption and animal feed.

Enterococcus durans KLDS6.0930 has previously been shown to have probiotic potential. However, being a potential clinical pathogen, it becomes necessary to evaluate its safety status for novel potential probiotic use. The purpose of this study is to systematically evaluate the safety of E. durans KLDS6.0930 based on its genomics, phenotypic characteristics and oral toxicity. The complete genome of E. durans KLDS6.0930 was sequenced and analyzed for safety-related genes. Antibiotic susceptibility and the production of harmful metabolites were tested. A 28-day repeated oral dose toxicity test was implemented in rats. In vitro, E. durans KLDS6.0930 was resistant to five antibiotics, with intrinsic resistances to four antibiotics and no identified genes for the last. E. durans KLDS6.0930 was not hemolytic and virulence factors were non-functional in its genome. E. durans KLDS6.0930 produced a small amount of tyramine and phenethylamine; genes encoding tyramine decarboxylase were identified. In addition, genotype and phenotype analyses showed that the strain did not have the ability to generate D-lactic acid, indole, or nitroreductase. In vivo, E. durans KLDS6.0930 did not induce adverse effects on the organs, hematological and serum biochemical parameters, or cecal bacterial populations in the oral toxicity test. These results indicate that E. durans KLDS6.0930 can be safely used as a potential probiotic for human consumption and animal feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a quorum-quenching (QQ) bacterium named HEMM-1 was isolated at a membrane bioreactor (MBR) plant. HEMM-1 has diplococcal morphology and 99% sequence identity to Enterococcus species. The HEMM-1 cell-free supernatant (CFS) showed higher QQ activities than the CFS of other QQ bacteria, mostly by degrading N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) with short acyl chains. Instrumental analyses revealed that HEMM-1 CFS degraded AHLs via lactonase activity. Under static, flow, and shear conditions, the HEMM-1 CFS was effective in reducing bacterial and activated-sludge biofilms formed on membrane surfaces. In conclusion, the HEMM-1 isolate is a QQ bacterium applicable to the control of biofouling in MBRs via inhibition of biofilm formation on membrane surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Listeria monocytogenes is a nonfastidious, widely occurring foodborne pathogen that is a major challenge to the food industry. Enterococcus durans 152, a confirmed L. monocytogenes- control microorganism, was isolated from floor drain samples from a food processing facility. In this study, the two bacteriocins produced by E. durans 152 were characterized and identified as Dur 152A (an enterocin L50A derivative with two amino acid substitutions of I→M) and enterocin L50B. The bacteriocins were then partially purified and evaluated for inhibitory activity to L. monocytogenes in deli ham. Results revealed that at 400 AU/ml, the bacteriocins prevented growth of listeria in deli ham for at least 10 weeks at 8 °C and at least 30 days at 15 °C. For comparison, 500 ppm Nisin controlled listeria growth for up to 6 weeks at 8 °C and up to 18 days at 15 °C. These findings reveal the potential for the bacteriocins of E. durans 152 to serve as anti-listerial agents in deli meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different herbal biopolymers were used to encapsulate Enterococcus durans IW3 to enhance its storage stability in yogurt and subsequently its endurance in gastrointestinal condition. Nine formulations of encapsulation were performed using alginate ( ALG), ALG-psyllium ( PSY), and ALG-gum Arabic ( GA) blends. The encapsulation efficiency of all formulations, tolerance of encapsulated E. durans IW3 against low pH/high bile salt concentration, storage lifetime, and release profile of cells in natural condition of yogurt were evaluated. Result revealed 98.6% encapsulation efficiency and 76% survival rate for all formulation compared with the unencapsulated formulation cells (43%). The ALG- PSY and ALG- GA formulations have slightly higher survival rates at low pH and bile salt condition (i.e., 76-93% and 81-95%, respectively) compared with the ALG formulation. All encapsulated E. durans IW3 was released from the prepared beads of ALG after 90 min, whereas both probiotics encapsulated in ALG- GA and ALG- PSY were released after 60 min. Enterococcus durans IW3 was successfully encapsulated in ALG, ALG- GA, and ALG- PSY beads prepared by extrusion method. ALG- GA and ALG- PSY beads are suitable delivery carriers for the oral administration of bioactive compounds like probiotics. The GA and PSY gels exhibited better potential for encapsulation of probiotic bacteria cells because of the amendment of ALG difficulties and utilization of therapeutic and prebiotic potentials of these herbal biopolymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]