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Enhancing acid tolerance of Leuconostoc mesenteroides with glutathione

Ji Eun Kim1, Hyun-Ju Eom, Yujin Kim

  • 1Department of Food Science and Technology, BK21 Education and Research Center for Advanced Bio-Agriculture Technology, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, 361-763, Republic of Korea.

Biotechnology Letters
|December 14, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Glutathione (GSH) supplementation enhances acid stress resistance in Leuconostoc mesenteroides, a key starter culture bacterium. This improves starter culture performance for fermented foods like kimchi and kefir.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Food Science
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Leuconostoc mesenteroides is vital for fermenting foods like kimchi and kefir.
  • Its utility is hindered by susceptibility to acid stress.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if glutathione (GSH) can enhance acid stress tolerance in L. mesenteroides.
  • To determine the mechanism of GSH action and its fate within the cells.

Main Methods:

  • Culturing L. mesenteroides in media with varying GSH concentrations (3.2 or 6.4 mM).
  • Subjecting cultures to a mild acid challenge (pH 4.0) for extended periods.
  • Measuring cell survival rates to assess stress resistance.

Main Results:

  • Glutathione (GSH) was effectively imported into L. mesenteroides cells.
  • GSH conferred significant protection against mild acid stress.
  • The imported GSH was subsequently utilized as a nutrient by the bacteria.

Conclusions:

  • Supplementing growth media with GSH improves the acid stress resistance of L. mesenteroides.
  • This strategy can enhance the performance of starter cultures in acidic food environments.
  • GSH acts both as a protective agent and a nutrient source for L. mesenteroides.

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