Effects of a bacteriocin‐like substance produced by Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. cremoris on spoilage strain Lactobacillus fructivorans and various pathogens

Abstract

SummaryCertain lactic acid bacteria present in the natural flora of the wine fermentation medium perform the malolactic fermentation process and other biochemical activities which lead to the formation of the outstanding aroma and bouquet of wine. However, because of the spoilage phenomena caused also by certain lactic cultures, off‐odours formed via metabolic side reactions cause severe economic losses in the wine industry. Several control mechanisms were introduced in order to eliminate these spoilage cultures, but none of these has been implemented as an efficient and healthy process. A partially purified bacteriocin‐like inhibitory substance (BLIS) with a molecular weight of 32 000 Da, obtained from a Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. cremoris isolate belonging to the native flora of wines of the Cappadocia region, was studied for its inhibitory activity on the spoilage strain, Lactobacillus fructivorans, isolated from the same wine flora and several other pathogens, and was found to be efficient in eliminating both the spoilage strain and the pathogens.