Purification, Characterization, and Mode of Action of Pentocin JL-1, a Novel Bacteriocin Isolated from Lactobacillus pentosus, against Drug-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract EN

Staphylococcus aureus and its drug-resistant strains, which threaten public health and food safety, are in need of effective control by biopreservatives.

A novel bacteriocin, pentocin JL-1, produced by Lactobacillus pentosus that was isolated from the intestinal tract of Chiloscyllium punctatum, was purified by a four-step chromatographic process.

Mass spectrometry based on MALDI-TOF indicated that pentocin JL-1 has a molecular mass of 2987.23 Da.

Only six of the twenty-five amino acids could be identified by Edman degradation.

This bacteriocin is thermostable and tolerates a pH range of 5–7.

Also, it is sensitive to proteinase K, trypsin, pepsin, and alkaline protease.

This bacteriocin has a broad inhibitory spectrum against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains and in particular is effective against multidrug-resistant S.

aureus.

Additionally, we showed that the cell membrane is the target of pentocin JL-1 against methicillin-resistant S.

aureus (MRSA), causing a loss of proton motive force.

Furthermore, pentocin JL-1 has a drastic impact on the structure and integrity of MRSA cells.

These results suggest that pentocin JL-1 has potential as a biopreservative in the food industry.