Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2026
11:56
Antimicrobial Peptides Produced by Selective Pressure Incorporation of Non-canonical Amino Acids
Published on: May 4, 2018
Lichenysin is produced by most Bacillus licheniformis strains
E H Madslien1, H T Rønning, T Lindbäck
1Forsvarets Forskningsinstitutt FFI, Norwegian Defence Research Establishment, Kjeller, Norway; Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Section for Food Safety, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Oslo, Norway.
Journal of Applied Microbiology
|July 13, 2013
Summary
Lichenysin production is universal in Bacillus licheniformis strains, with varying quantities not linked to genotype. Higher lichenysin levels correlate with increased toxicity, relevant for food additive risk assessments.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
- Food Safety
Background:
- Bacillus licheniformis is a bacterium with potential industrial applications.
- Lichenysin is a lipopeptide produced by B. licheniformis with known biological activities.
- Understanding lichenysin production and its effects is crucial for assessing B. licheniformis safety and utility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of lichenysin production in genotyped Bacillus licheniformis strains.
- To investigate the relationship between lichenysin production levels and bacterial genotype.
- To assess the correlation between lichenysin concentration and cytotoxicity.
Main Methods:
- Genotyping of 53 Bacillus licheniformis strains from diverse sources.
- Detection of the lchAA gene using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
- Quantification of lichenysin using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
- Assessment of cytotoxicity against boar spermatozoa, erythrocytes, and Vero cells.
Main Results:
- All 53 B. licheniformis strains possessed the lchAA gene and produced lichenysins.
- Lichenysin quantities varied significantly (over two orders of magnitude) among strains, independent of genotype.
- A strong association was observed between lichenysin concentration and observed toxicity.
Conclusions:
- Lichenysin synthesis is a ubiquitous trait in the examined B. licheniformis strains.
- Lichenysin quantities vary considerably but are not genotype-specific.
- Cytotoxicity is observed at lichenysin concentrations exceeding 10 μg/ml, aligning with prior research.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Production of Antibiotics
Penicillin, one of the earliest and most widely used antibiotics, is produced industrially by the filamentous fungus Penicillium chrysogenum. Large stirred-tank bioreactors ranging from tens to hundreds of thousands of liters maintain tightly controlled temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen conditions to support fungal metabolism and maximize antibiotic yield. Penicillin is a secondary metabolite, synthesized primarily during the stationary growth phase, which requires a carefully managed...
01:30Bacterial Phylum Actinobacteria
Coryneform bacteria are gram-positive, aerobic, nonmotile rods that exhibit irregular, club-shaped, or V-shaped arrangements. Their V-shape results from snapping division, where the inner cell wall layer forms the cross-wall, while the outer layer remains intact until it ruptures on one side, causing the daughter cells to bend away.The primary genera are Corynebacterium and Arthrobacter. Corynebacterium includes diverse species, ranging from saprophytes to pathogens like Corynebacterium...
01:30Bacterial Phylum Spirochaetes
Spirochetes, unique bacteria in the phylum Spirochaetes, are gram-negative, motile, tightly coiled, slender, and flexible. They inhabit aquatic sediments and animals, with some causing diseases like syphilis. Spirochetes are classified into eight genera based on habitat, pathogenicity, phylogeny, and characteristics.Their distinctive motility arises from endoflagella, located within the cell’s periplasm. These endoflagella anchor at the cell poles and extend along the cell length, encased by a...
01:25Production of Organic Acids
Lactic acid, an important organic acid extensively applied in food, pharmaceutical, and biodegradable polymer industries, is primarily produced via microbial fermentation. This method is favored over chemical synthesis due to its environmental sustainability and capacity for enantiomerically pure product formation. Among various microbial processes, the fermentation of starch-based substrates stands out due to the abundance and renewability of raw materials like corn and potatoes.Hydrolysis of...
01:16Viral Replication: Lysogenic Cycle
The lysogenic cycle is a crucial viral replication strategy that allows bacteriophages to persist within host cells without immediately destroying them. This process is primarily observed in temperate phages, such as bacteriophage lambda (λ), which infects Escherichia coli. The cycle allows the viral genome to persist across bacterial generations while keeping host cells viable.Integration of the Viral GenomeUpon infection, bacteriophage lambda attaches to the bacterial surface and injects its...
01:24Biosynthesis in Bacteria
Biosynthesis in bacteria is a fundamental anabolic process that generates essential macromolecules, including proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and polysaccharides. These macromolecules are critical for cellular growth, replication, and function. The process is tightly regulated and energetically linked to catabolic pathways to ensure optimal resource utilization.Biosynthetic pathways begin with precursor metabolites such as pyruvate, acetyl-CoA, and glucose-6-phosphate derived from glycolysis,...