The Isolation and Partial Characterization of Novel Bacteriocins from the Oral Bacterium Streptococcus salivarius

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance is a wide-reaching concern, having garnished increased saliency amongst all corners of society. These fears are well founded and attempts to moderate and effectively respond to this potential crisis is with the identification of new life saving compounds. We have presently reported the identification and partial characterization of one novel bacteriocin produced by Streptococcus salivarius U3. Through the use of a specialized growth medium, we have been able to induce the production of antibacterial metabolites and have successfully isolated one of these compounds. The compound in question possesses a highly limited spectrum of activity. The compound is also evidently amphipathic (as evidenced by its point of elution during High Performance Liquid Chromatography) and proline rich, based on the amino acid analysis that has been performed. The presence of contaminants in the isolated product has made pinpointing an exact mass somewhat difficult. However, cross-referencing mass spectrometry data with current NMR assignments leads us to suspect that the compound is between 2.0kDa and 2.6kDa in size. The NMR data also reveals a compound that is highly structured based upon the observed spectral width and amide to amide proton interactions.