PEDIOCIN-PD-1, A BACTERICIDAL ANTIMICROBIAL PEPTIDE FROM PEDIOCOCCUS-DAMNOSUS-NCFB-1832

Pediocin PD-1, produced by Pediococcus damnosus NCFB 1832, is inhibito ry to several food spoilage bacteria and food-borne pathogens. However , pediocin PD-1 is not active against other Pediococcus spp. and diffe rs in this respect to other pediocins produced by Pediococcus acidilac tici and Pediococcus pentosaceus. Production of pediocin PD-1 starts d uring early growth and reaches a plateau at the end of exponential gro wth. Pediocin PD-1 was partially purified and its size was determined by tricine-SDS-PAGE as approximate to 3.5 kDa. The isoelectric point ( pI) of pediocin PD-1 is approximate to 3.5, as determined with the Rot ofor electrofocusing cell (BioRad). Pediocin PD-1 is heat-resistant (1 0 min at 121 degrees C) and remains active after 30 min of incubation at pH 2-10. Pediocin PD-1 is resistant to treatment with pepsin, papai n, alpha-chemotrypsin and trypsin, but not Proteinase K. Pediocin PD-1 is bactericidal against sensitive cells of Oenococcus oeni (previousl y Leuconostoc oenos).