Heterologous production of bacteriocins by lactic acid bacteria

• Published in: International Journal of Food Microbiology Vol. 80; no. 2; pp. 101 - 116
• Main Authors: Rodrı́guez, J.M., Martı́nez, M.I., Horn, N., Dodd, H.M.
• Format: Book Review Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 25.01.2003; Elsevier
• Subjects: Bacteriocins; Bacteriocins - biosynthesis; Biological and medical sciences; biological production; biosynthesis; food biopreservatives; Food industries; Food Microbiology; Food Technology; Foods; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gene expression; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; genes; genetics; Heterologous production; Lactic acid bacteria; Lactobacillus; Lactobacillus - genetics; Lactobacillus - metabolism; metabolism; protein synthesis; recombinant proteins; Secretion mechanisms; Use and upgrading of agricultural and food by-products. Biotechnology; Secretion mechanisms; Heterologous production; Lactic acid bacteria; Foods; Bacteriocins; Gene expression; Heterologous system; Secretion; Bacteriocin; Production; Review; Antimicrobial agent
• ISSN: 0168-1605; 1879-3460
• DOI: 10.1016/S0168-1605(02)00153-8

Over the last two decades, bacteriocins produced by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been the subject of considerable research and industrial interest due to their potential as food biopreservatives. The development of heterologous expression systems for such antimicrobial compounds may offer a number of advantages over native systems, such as facilitating the control of bacteriocin gene expression or achieving higher production levels. In addition, the heterologous production by food-grade LAB offers an attractive method for overcoming some of the adverse situations that may affect the effectiveness of some bacteriocins in food systems. Construction of multibacteriocinogenic strains or acquisition of antimicrobial properties by industrial strains are further objectives that can be achieved through the use of heterologous gene expression systems. The development of new biotechnological tools and recent advances in LAB genetics account for the escalating number of studies dealing with heterologous production of bacteriocins by such hosts. This paper reviews the literature published on the subject and compares the different experimental strategies that have been used up to the present for this purpose.