ISOLATION OF BACTERIOCINOGENIC LACTIC ACID BACTERIA FROM RAT INTESTINE

Summary Lactic acid bacteria were isolated from rat intestinal contents and screened for bacteriocin production. Out of twenty-three isolates, eight were found to produce bacteriocins. The morphological and biochemical properties of these isolates indicated that they belong to the genus Enterococcus. The bacteriocins were extracted and partially purified by Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) using G-25, and the antimicrobial spectrum of these bacteriocins was studied against indicator organisms, including Lactococcus diacetylactis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas sp.