Interactions between two carnobacteriocins Cbn BM1 and Cbn B2 from Carnobacterium maltaromaticum CP5 on target bacteria and Caco-2 cells

Two purified class IIa carnobacteriocins Cbn BM1 and Cbn B2, from Carnobacterium maltaromaticum CP5, were evaluated for antimicrobial activity against pathogenic, spoilage and lactic acid bacteria. Then, the presence of a synergistic mode of action of these two carnobacteriocins on Listeria sp., Enterococcus sp. and Camobacterium sp. was investigated. A synergistic mode of action between Cbn BM1 and Cbn B2 on sensitive target bacteria was demonstrated using the FIC index method. Combinations of carnobacteriocins enhanced their antibacterial activities and MICs were significantly reduced, between 2- and 15-fold, by the addition of the second bacteriocin. To improve the safety of the bacteriocins as biopreservative agents, the cytotoxicity of the combination of theses two bacteriocins was determined on Caco-2 cell line. However, these two peptides used alone or in combination, at concentration 100-fold higher than those required for antimicrobial activity, were not cytotoxic. This suggests that the two carnobacteriocins produced by C maltaromaticum CP5 could be potential natural agents for food preservation. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.