Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2025

A Method to Assess Bacteriocin Effects on the Gut Microbiota of Mice
Published on: July 25, 2017
Bioprotective cultures and bacteriocins as food preservatives
Patricia Castellano1, Constanza Melian1, Carla Burgos1
1Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos (CERELA-CONICET), Tucumán, Argentina.
Abstract:
Food preservation technologies face the challenge of extending product shelf life applying different factors to prevent the microbiological spoilage of food and inhibit/inactivate food borne pathogens maintaining or even enhancing its quality. One such preservation strategy is the application of bacteriocins or bacteriocin-producer cultures as a kind of food biopreservation. Bacteriocins are ribosomally synthesized small polypeptide molecules that exert antagonistic activity against closely related and unrelated bacteria without harming the producing strain by specific immunity proteins. This chapter aims to contribute to current knowledge about innovative natural preservative agents and their application in the food industry. Specifically, its purpose is to analyze the classification of bacteriocins from lactic acid bacteria (LAB), desirable characteristics of bacteriocins that position them in a privileged place in food biopreservation technology, their success story as well as the bacteriocinogenic LAB in various food systems. Finally, challenges and barrier strategies used to enhance the efficiency of the bacteriocins antimicrobial effect are presented in this chapter.
Related Concept Videos
Microorganisms in Agriculture and Food industry
Biological Methods for Microbial Control
Need for Obtaining Pure Cultures
Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth
Key Techniques in Microbiology
Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics

