Isolation, Identification, and Characterization of a Bacteriocin-Producing Enterococcus sp. from Kimchi and Its Application to Kimchi Fermentation

Abstract

A bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacterium, which strongly inhibited the Lactobacillus plantarum recognized as an important acid spoilage microorganism in kimchi fermentation, was isolated from kimchi. From morphological, physiological, sugar fermentation, biochemical tests, and 16S rDNA sequencing results, the isolate was identified as an Enterococcus sp. and designated as Enterococcus sp. K25. The bacteriocin produced by Enterococcus sp. K25 inhibited- several Gram-positive bacteria, including Lb. plantarum, whereas it did not inhibit Gram-negative bacteria and yeasts. Optimal temperature and pH for the bacteriocin production were 25°C and 5.5, respectively. Enterococcus sp. K25 was applied to kimchi manufacturing alone and together with other preservatives (i.e., chitosan and fumaric acid). In addition, growth of lactic acid bacteria, pH, and titratable acidity (TA) were measured during aging at 5°C and 10°C. Inoculation of Enterococcus sp. K25 together with fumaric acid showed the most synergistic effect on extension of kimchi shelf-life. Compared to control (no addition), the treatment prolonged the kimchi shelf-life up to 6 days, whereupon the eight-point TA value recognized as the edible limit was reached.