Isolation and preliminary characterization of bacteriocins produced by Vibrio vulnificus

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this work was to isolate bacteriocins from the environment that would be effective in neutralizing Vibrio vulnificus in seafood. Methods and Results: Water samples from Wilmington (NC, USA) were plated to determine total viable counts and to isolate presumptive Vibrio spp. Isolates containing plasmids were checked for antimicrobial activity which was not due to lytic bacteriophage or small, non-specific molecules. Three bacteriocin producers were detected and their inhibitory spectra determined: IW1 inhibited few strains of V. vulnificus; BC1 inhibited several strains of V. vulnificus, V. cholerae and V. parahaemolyticus and BC2 inhibited all tested Vibrio spp., Plesiomonas shigelloides and Escherichia coli. Loss of inhibitory activity coincided with loss of the bacteriocinogenic plasmid. The bacteriocins were found to be between 1AE3 and 9AE0 kDa. IW1 was heat labile, while BC1 was moderately stable except at extreme temperatures. BC2 was very stable and maintained its activity when frozen, autoclaved or exposed to extreme pH values. Conclusions: Bacteriocins have been isolated from environmental isolates of V. vulnificus and V. cholerae. BC2, with its broad spectrum and stability, may be useful in neutralizing V. vulnificus. Significance and Impact of the Study: The results have significance in relation to reducing the occurrence of food poisoning caused by V. vulnificus.

Vibrio inhibens sp. nov., a novel bacterium with inhibitory activity against Vibrio species

“…This action against closely related species provides evidence that the inhibitor involved could be a bacteriocin. 25 …”

Identification and characterization of bacteria with antibacterial activities isolated from seahorses (Hippocampus guttulatus)

“…[13][14][15] In this study, the isolate HG-3F, closely related to V. parahaemolyticus (97.6% similarity), showed inhibitory activity only against indicator strains of V. parahaemolyticus and V. splendidus. Moreover, the isolate HG-12F, identified as A. fischeri (100% similarity), showed inhibitory activity only against indicator strains of V. ichthyoenteri, V. parahaemolyticus and V. splendidus.…”

Bacteriocins of Aquatic Microorganisms and Their Potential Applications in the Seafood Industry

“…The identification of harveyicin led to numerous bacteriocin-screening studies in marine bacteria, which focused primarily on biochemical characterization of bacteriocins and bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances (Bagenda et al, 2008;Bhugaloo-Vial et al, 1996;Carraturo et al, 2006;Hosseini et al, 2009;Hoyt & Sizemore, 1982;Longeon et al, 2004;McCall & Sizemore, 1979;Messi et al, 2003;Metivier et al, 1998;Moro et al, 1997;Nilsson et al, 2002;Pinto et al, 2009;Pirzada et al, 2004;Prasad et al, 2005;Rajaram et al, 2010;Selvin et al, 2004;Shehane & Sizemore, 2002;Stoffels et al, 1992;Sugita et al, 1997;Suzuki et al, 2005;Tahiri et al, 2004;Valenzuela et al, 2010;Zai et al, 2009). The majority of these studies focused on the killing breadth of the producing strains due to their potential for use as antimicrobials and probiotics.…”

“…These bacteriocins share similar characteristics with the Class II bacteriocins of Gram-positive bacteria. (Table 3) (Bagenda et al, 2008;Carraturo et al, 2006;Longeon et al, 2004;Messi et al, 2003;Moro et al, 1997;Pinto et al, 2009;Pirzada et al, 2004;Prasad et al, 2005;Rajaram et al, 2010;Satish Kumar & Arul, 2009;Selvin et al, 2004;Shehane & Sizemore, 2002;Sugita et al, 1997;Valenzuela et al, 2010;Zai et al, 2009). These species are important in the seafood industry and in human health.…”

“…Some have unique characteristics. For example, BLIS-IW1, BLIS-BC1, and BC2 from Vibrio species possess a carbohydrate moiety while BLIS VIB 571 from V. harveyi has a lipid moiety (Shehane & Sizemore, 2002 Further, the stability of BLIS activity varies. BLIS IW1 is inactive after cold storage at -70C; like phage-tail-like bacteriocins.…”