Isolation and partial biochemical characterization of a proteinaceous anti-bacteria and anti-yeast compound produced by Lactobacillus paracasei subsp paracasei strain M3

New proteinaceous active substance produced by Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei strain M3 used as a starter for Bulgarian yellow cheese was identified and studied. It displayed bactericidal and fungistatic activities. Its activity was checked against over 60 bacterial and yeast strains. It was efficient against Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, several L. delbrueckii species, Helicobacter pylori NCIPD 230 and some yeast species, for example Candida albicans, C. pseudointermedia NBIMCC 1532, C. blankii NBIMCC 85 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae NBIMCC 1812. The synthesis of the substance by producing strain was detected in the late logarithmic growth phase during batch fermentation. Anion exchange chromatography, reversed phase chromatography (RPC) on C-4 column and HPLC on C-18 column were used for partial purification of this antimicrobial compound. The gene responsible for the synthesis of the active substance is located on the bacterial chromosome. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V All rights reserved.