Inhibitory effect of different enterocins against fecal bacterial isolates

Anti-microbial activity of five different enterocins produced by ruminal and environmental enterococci against fecal bacterial isolates was tested. The majority of all 61 strains (80.4%) were inhibited by all enterocins used. The remaining strains were inhibited at least by one enterocin. The highest activity, 51,200 arbitrary units per ml-1 (AU ml-1) was measured when crude extracts of enterocin V24 (CE V24) were used against enterococci. CE AL41 and EK13 showed an activity of 25,600 AU ml-1. The lowest activity was obtained with Enterocin CE EC24 (100-400 AU ml-1). Crude extract of enterocin CCM4231 inhibited the indicator strains with an activity ranging from 100 up to 6400 AU ml-1, which is in accordance with our previous results. It further indicates the probable use of enterocins or its producers in environmental biotechnology with the aim to increase the effectiveness of sanitation of animal excrements after standard treatment.