Isolation of Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides DU-0608 with Antibacterial Activity from Kimchi and Characterization of Its Bacteriocin

A bacteriocin-producing strain, DU-0608, was isolated from Kimchi and identified as Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides. The bacteriocin from isolate was inhibitory against Listeria monocytogenes, Micrococcus luteus and several strains of lactic acid bacteria. The bacteriocin was inactivated by pepsin, trypsin, $\alpha$-chymotrypsin, protease, $\alpha$-amylase and lipase, but not by catalase or by heating at $100^{\circ}C$ for 60 min. The molecular weight of the bacteriocin was estimated approximately 6 kDa. The inhibitory effect was bactericidal and rapid. Following treatment with isolate bacteriocin, cells of indicator strain (Lactobacillus sake JCM 1157) were damaged at the end regions of the cell wall, whereas the cells treated with nisin were damaged at many places around the cell wall.