The source of antimicrobial proteinaceous food substance

Abstract

Spoilage of food due to contamination by bacteria present in the environment is a major problem which 
affects human health and efforts to identify antibacterial components from natural sources has gained 
momentum. In this regard we isolated a new strain of BACILLUS LICHENIFORMIS IITRHR2 (accession number 
FJ447354) which produced bacteriocin like inhibitory substance (BLIS). Partially purified BLIS showed a 
major peak on HPLC with antimicrobial activity. This proteinaceous substance (~1.2 kDa) was thermo
stable and pH resistant but lost activity when subjected to proteinase treatment. BLIS inhibited growth 
of 16 bacteria including environmental and clinical contaminants of food products and potentiated the 
activity of nisin. In conclusion, the proteinaceous substance isolated from B. LICHENIFORMIS IITRHR2 
showed potential to combat contamination of food products by bacteria present in the environment.