Premium
Lichenysin is produced by most B acillus licheniformis strains
Author(s) -
Madslien E.H.,
Rønning H.T.,
Lindbäck T.,
Hassel B.,
Andersson M.A.,
Granum P.E.
Publication year - 2013
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 - 10.1111/jam.12299
Subject(s) - bacillus licheniformis , microbiology and biotechnology , bacillus (shape) , bacillales , bacillaceae , biology , bacteria , food science , bacillus subtilis , genetics
Aims The aim of this study was to elucidate the prevalence of lichenysin production in B acillus licheniformis and to see whether this feature was restricted to certain genotypes. Secondly, we wanted to see whether cytotoxicity reflected the measured levels of lichenysin. Methods and Results Fifty‐three genotyped strains of B . licheniformis, representing a wide variety of sources, were included. lch AA gene fragments were detected in all strains by polymerase chain reaction ( PCR ). All 53 strains produced lichenysins with four molecular masses as confirmed by LC ‐ MS / MS (liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry) analysis. The amounts of lichenysin varied more than two orders of magnitude between strains and were irrespective of genotype. Finally, there was a strong association between lichenysin concentrations and toxicity towards boar spermatozoa, erythrocytes and V ero cells. Conclusions Lichenysin synthesis was universal among the 53 B . licheniformis strains examined. The quantities varied considerably between strains, but were not specifically associated with genotype. Cytotoxicity was evident at lichenysin concentrations above 10 μg ml −1 , which is in accordance with previous studies. Significance and Impact of Study This study might be of interest to those working on B . licheniformis for commercial use as well as for authorities who make risk assessments of B . licheniformis when used as a food and feed additive.