Influence of osmolarity and the presence of an osmoprotectant on Lactococcus lactis growth and bacteriocin production

The growth of Lactococcus lactis and bacteriocin production in salt-enriched defined medium has been studied. The osmoprotective effect of glycine betaine (GB) on bacterial growth and on lacticin 481 production has also been examined. Lacticin 481 is a bacteriocin produced by L. lactis subsp. lactis ADRIA 85LO30 which inhibits food spoilage bacterium Clostridium tyrobutyricum. Results show GB improves the growth of L. lactis under hyperosmotic constraints but contributes to a reduction in bacteriocin production.