Enterocin NA: A Bacteriocin Produced by Enterococcus faecalis BFE 1057 Isolated from a Nigerian Fermented Dairy Product

Abstract

Enterococcus faecalis BFE 1057 isolated from a Nigerian fermented dairy product ('nono') produced a bacteriocin designated enterocin NA. It was found inhibitory towards Lactobacillus, Enterococcus and Listeria strains. Enterocin NA was inactivated by proteolytic enzymes, and resistant to heating at 80 °C for 30 min and active at pH 2.0 to 8.0. Its molecular weight was estimated by ultrafiltration to be above 3000 daltons. The ability of this bacteriocin to inhibit Listeria is of potential interest in food safety and enterocin NA may have future applications as a food preservative.

Keywords

• bacteriocin
• enterococcusfaecalis
• fermented foods
• enterocin
• nono