OCCURRENCE OF BACTERIOCIN PRODUCTION AMONG ENVIRONMENTAL ENTEROCOCCI

The occurrence of enterococci in cattle dung water from the basins of 25 cattle farms of 15 northeastern Slovakia districts was screened as well as bacteriocin production among selective enterococcal isolates. The average total count of enterococci detected reached 5.0 x 10(3) cf u ml(-1) Enterococcus faecium was the predominant species (25%) follow ed by Ent. casseliflavus (19.2%), Ent, faecalis (9.6%), Ent. avium and Ent. durans (1.9%). The antagonistic activity of isolates showed a ma inly antilisterial effect. Enterococcus faecalis V24 strain produced a heat stable, largely hydrophobic antimicrobial substance with best pr oduction in the range pH4 to 7 and with a strong inhibitory effect eve n against Gram-negative bacteria.