After enrichment of Odontesthes platensis intestinal contents, 53 lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated. From the four isolates that showed inhibitory activity
against Lactococcus garvieae 03/8460, strain TW34 was selected because it exerted the strongest inhibition. It also inhibited other Gram-positive bacteria,
but not Gram-negative fish pathogens. Phenotypic and 16S rDNA phylogenetic analyses showed that TW34 belongs to Lactococcus lactis. In addition, TW34 showed to be sensitive to different antibiotics. The production of the inhibitory agent against L. garvieae was growth associated, and it was significantly influenced by the incubation temperature. The optimal temperature for the
antimicrobial production was as low as 15°C. Both acidification and hydrogen peroxide production were ruled out as the source
of inhibition. In contrast, the antimicrobial activity was completely lost by treatment with proteolytic enzymes, which confirmed
that the inhibitory substance was a bacteriocin. The bacteriocin was highly thermostable (121°C for 15 min) and active between
pH 3 and 11. It remained stable for up to 2 months when stored at 4°C and up to 6 months at −20°C. Our results suggest that
the strain L. lactis TW34 could provide an alternative for lactococcosis control and therefore be considered for future challenge experiments
with fish.
Keywords Lactic acid bacteria -
Lactoccocus lactis
- Bacteriocin - Antimicrobial peptide -
Lactococcus garvieae
- Fish pathogen
Communicated by Erko Stackebrandt.