Anti-Listeria monocytogenes bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances from Enterococcus faecium UQ31 isolated from artisan Mexican-style cheese

Artisan fresh Mexican-style cheeses are commonly made from raw milk that provides not only rich flavors, but also a diversity of associated lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains. Enterococcus faecium UQ31 was isolated from panela cheese and produced bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances (BLIS) with a strong anti-Listeria activity. A modified pH-mediated adsorption-desorption purification process resulted in (after SDS-PAGE) two bands showing antimicrobial activities, where most of the activity corresponded to the band with an estimated molecular weight of 7.5 kDa. The BLIS produced by E. faecium UQ31 were heat resistant, stable at ambient storage conditions, and active in the pH range 5-9. The BLIS antimicrobial activities were detected during logarithmic growth phase and remained constant until the end of incubation time (19 h). These BLIS showed a wide anti-Listeria monocytogenes spectra. The E. faecium UQ31 strain or their BLIS represent a promising potential as antimicrobial food preservatives.