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Population dynamics and antagonistic potential of enterococci colonizing the phyllosphere of grasses
Author(s) -
Ott E.M.,
Müller T.,
Müller M.,
Franz C.M.A.P.,
Ulrich A.,
Gabel M.,
Seyfarth W.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 1364-5072
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2672.2001.01334.x
Subject(s) - phyllosphere , biology , bacteriocin , microbiology and biotechnology , population , enterococcus faecium , agar , enterococcus , antibiosis , bacteria , antimicrobial , antibiotics , genetics , demography , sociology
Aims: To investigate the spatial and temporal dynamics of enterococci colonizing forage grass and their ability to produce bacteriocins. Methods and Results: Enterococci could be detected on above‐ground plant parts throughout the growing season, with high continuity but low cell numbers (2·60 × 10 1 –6·16 × 10 4 cfu g –1 fresh matter). A total of 750 strains were isolated and identified by their whole‐cell protein patterns as Enterococcus faecalis (7·9%), Ent. mundtii (7·9%), Ent. casseliflavus (5·5%), Ent. faecium (5·2%) and Ent. sulfureus (0·1%). The vast majority of the strains (69·7%) formed a homogeneous 16S rDNA genotype that differed from those of known enterococci. A screening for antagonistic activity using an agar spot test revealed that 18·4% of all isolates were potential antagonists. Partially‐purified proteins extracted from cell‐free culture supernatant fluids of various species were characterized as pH‐ and heat‐stable bacteriocins active against a wide range of lactic acid bacteria, clostridia and Listeria. The producing strains were antagonistically active even on ‘phylloplane agar’ at temperatures between 4 and 37°C. Conclusions: Enterococci are a common part of the epiphytic microflora of grasses, displaying probably some antagonistic activity. Significance and Impact of the Study: The results provide new information on the distribution, species diversity and antagonistic potential of enterococci in the phyllosphere.