Growth inhibition activity and bacteriophage and bacteriocinlike particles associated with different species of Clostridium.

Thirty-four strains corresponding to 16 species of Clostridium were examined for growth inhibition activity and production of phage and bacteriocinlike particles. Twenty-five strains were found to inhibit growth of one or more of the other strains. The widest range of activity corresponded to C. bifermentans 18137 which inhibited growth of 23 strains. Cell-free filtrates of positive cultures were inactive with the exception of the one from C. bifermentans 18137. A wide variety of particles with diverse morphology was observed in lysates of cultures treated with mitomycin C (1 microgram/mL).