2002 Volume 13 Issue 1 Pages 37-45
Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) which produce reuterin, a low molecular weight antimicrobial substance, were screened by incubating LAB cells with glycerol in an anaerorobical system. Among the 148 strains of LAB tested, Lactobacillus coryniformis 394 displayed the highest ability to produce reuterin. This strain produced a mixture of reuterin and the corresponding hydrate form which were identified by 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectrum analyses. Highest amount of reuterin was produced in a glycerol solution containing 0.5% CaCO3 at 25°C under anaerobic conditions. Reuterin from L. coryniformis 394 strongly inhibited the growth of fungi, yeast and various strains of bacteria but showed no inhibitory effect on LAB.
