ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF 2-PYRROLIDONE-5-CARBOXYLIC ACID PRODUCED BYLACTIC-ACID BACTERIA

Thirteen Lactabacillus and five Pediococcus strains were shown to prod uce an antimicrobial agent, 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid (PCA). PCA inhibited many spoilage bacteria, particularly Enterobacter cloacae 1 575, Pseudomonas fluorescens KJL G, and P. putida 1560-2. The antimicr obial activity of PCA did not change at higher temperatures. However, the activity was destroyed rapidly by neutralization with ammonium hyd roxide. PCA showed slightly lower antimicrobial activity than lactic a cid.