Effect of medium on the bacteriocin production by Klebsiella pneumoniae

The influence of growth media and media constituents on bacteriocin production by Klebsiella pneumoniae was studied. Among the standard laboratory media used trypticase soy broth (TSB) showed the maximum production and poor yields resulted from growth in peptone water and nutrient broth. A number of peptones differed in their bacteriocin production. Best yields were observed in tryptone and proteose peptone water. Addition of 1% yeast extract to TSB further stimulated bacteriocin production. However, activity was low when glucose, glycine, sodium mercaptoacetate or bile salt mixture were added to the medium. Suppression of synthesis by certain agents as well as inhibition of formed bacteriocin by the others appears to affect the bacteriocin yield. No proteinase activity was detected during the entire incubation period.