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영어

Enterococcus faecium MJ-14, having strong antilisterial activity, was isolated from Korean fermented food, Meju. MJ-14 showed the same phenotypic characteristics, but different sugar utilization, as reference strain, E. faecium KCCM12118. It could utilize D-xylose, amygdaline, and gluconate, whereas E. faecium KCCM12118 could not. Optimal condition for bacteriocin production by E. faecium MJ-14 was at 37℃ and pH 7.0. Bacteriocin activity appeared in mid exponential phase and increased rapidly up to stationary phase. Activity was significantly promoted in MRS broth containing 3.0% glucose, 1.5% lactose, 2.0% peptone, or 1.5% tryptone. Bacteriocins effectively inhibited Enterococcus faecalis and Listeria spp. of Gram-positive bacteria, and Helicobacter pylori of Gram-negative bacteria, but did not inhibit yeasts and molds. They were stable against heat (for 30 min at 100℃), pH (3.0-9.0), long-term storage (for 60 days at 4 or -20℃), and enzymatic digestion by catalase, proteinase K, papain, lysozyme, trypsin, chymotrypsin, and lipase, etc. Bacteriocin activity was completely inhibited by protease and pepsin, and 50% by a-amylase. Studies on PCR detection of enterocin structural genes revealed bacteriocins are identical to enterocins A and B.