Optimization of the culture conditions for the production of a bacteriocin from halophilic archaeon Sech7a.

An extremely halophilic haloarchaeon Sech7a, isolated from a solar saltern, was found to excrete halocin, a bacteriocin like substance. Optimal antimicrobial activity was obtained at 45 degrees C using 0.5% (w/v) glycerol and 0.5% (w/v) yeast extract as nutrients in SW media containing 3.4 M NaCl with pH value 7.5. Halocin Sech7a is a 10.7-kDa polypeptide, which is stable in a wide range of pH and is thermolabile at temperatures above 80 degrees C. As many other halophilic proteins, halocin Sech7a loses part of its activity upon exposure to low salt conditions, yet its activity can be restored after dialysis against initial saline conditions. Microscopic inspection revealed swelling and lysis of sensitive cells upon exposure to halocin Sech7a. These results indicate that haloarchaeon Sech7a excretes a novel bacteriocin.