Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 25, 2026

Using the Overlay Assay to Qualitatively Measure Bacterial Production of and Sensitivity to Pneumococcal Bacteriocins
Published on: September 30, 2014
Intra-specific variation of Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus pentosus in sensitivity towards various
G D Carl1, J J Leisner, J Swings
1Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Abstract:
Fifty-two strains belonging to the Lactobacillus plantarum species group were identified and typed. They represented 32 clones of Lactobacillus plantarum and 7 clones of Lactobacillus pentosus. Sensitivity of all strains towards bacteriocins of four different producer strains was investigated using a deferred inhibition test (DIT). Substantial intra-specific variation in sensitivity of clones was observed towards bacteriocinogenic lactic acid bacteria producing nisin ( Lactococcus lactis ATCC 11454) or pediocin PA-1 ( Pediococcus acidilactici PAC-1.0), while none of the strains were sensitive towards the two remaining bacteriocin producers. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of nisin towards selected strains confirmed the DIT results. No correlation between the susceptibility of fourteen selected strains towards nisin and an array of antibiotics was found. The present study indicates that the variation in bacteriocin-sensitivity within target species might be a potential limitation for the application of bacteriocins as biopreservatives.
Related Concept Videos
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance
Microbes in the Production of Fermented Foods
Antibiotic Selection
Development of Antibiotic Resistance
Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA
Inducible Operons: lac Operon

