An antilisterial bacteriocin BacFL31 produced by Enterococcus faecium FL31 with a novel structure containing hydroxyproline residues.

A new bacterium called FL31, which was selected for its antimicrobial activity against the pathogenic bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, was identified as Enterococcus faecium and noted to produce an antibacterial proteinaceous substance (BacFL31). The active peptide from the cell-free supernatant of E. faecium FL31 was purified in four steps and the results revealed a single band with an estimated molecular mass of approximately 3.5 kDa. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified BacFL31 "GLEESXGHXGQXGPXGPXGAXGP" (X = hydroxyproline) showed the presence of six hydroxyproline residues. It displayed a bactericidal mode of action against L. monocytogenes. Its application at 400 AU/g was also noted to constitute an effective approach for preventing the contamination and growth of the pathogenic bacterium L. monocytogenes during the storage of minced beef meat at 4 °C.