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Nisin-producing starter cultures
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Nisin is an antimicrobial peptide that is produced by some non-dairy Lactococcus lactis strains. The peptide has bacteriostatic and bacteriocidal activity against most Gram-positive bacteria, including the pathogenic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and the food spoilage bacteria Bacillus cereus and Clostridium tyrobutyricum. The ability to produce nisin and to tolerate the presence of nisin, is encoded on a mobile DNA-element – transposon - in L. lactis and can be transferred, spontaneously, to non-nisin-producing strains. In a collaborative effort, NIZO food research and CSK Food Enrichment have used this natural process for development of nisin-producing cheese starters. These starter cultures are specifically useful in the manufacture of contamination-sensitive dairy products, such as artisanal cheese made from non-pasteurised milk. The nisin-producing starter cultures are currently produced and marketed by the starter-producing company, CSK Food Enrichment. |
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| nizin, CSK, starter, cheese, pathogen | |
