Production of bacteriocin inhibitory to Listeria species by Enterococcus hirae.

A bovine intestinal bacterial isolate, identified as Enterococcus hirae, was found to produce a bacteriocin (designated hiraecin S) inhibitory to Listeria monocytogenes and other Listeria spp. Identification to species level was determined by comprehensive biochemical and morphological tests which were verified by DNA-DNA homology assays. The antimicrobial agent was inactivated by pronase and papain and was insensitive to catalase. The antimicrobial activity was not due to hydrogen peroxide or acid formation, nor was lysozyme or muramidase activity observed in cell-free bacteriocin preparations. Inhibition of selected gram-negative bacteria was not observed. Other enterococci were sensitive to the bacteriocin, and except for Listeria spp., no other gram-positive bacteria tested were inhibited.