Aims: Two vital factors, certain environmental conditions and nutrients as a source of energy are entailed for successful growth and reproduction of microorganisms. Manipulation of nutritional requirement is the simplest and most effectual strategy to stimulate and enhance the activity of microorganisms. Methodology and Results: In this study, response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN) were employed to optimize the carbon and nitrogen sources in order to improve growth rate of Monascus purpureus FTC5391, a new local isolate. The best models for optimization of growth rate were a multilayer full feed-forward incremental back propagation network, and a modified response surface model using backward elimination. The optimum condition for cell mass production was: sucrose 2.5%, yeast extract 0.045%, casamino acid 0.275%, sodium nitrate 0.48%, potato starch 0.045%, dextrose 1%, potassium nitrate 0.57%. The experimental cell mass production using this optimal condition was 21 mg/plate/12days, which was 2.2-fold higher than the standard condition (sucrose 5%, yeast extract 0.15%, casamino acid 0.25%, sodium nitrate 0.3%, potato starch 0.2%, dextrose 1%, potassium nitrate 0.3%). Conclusion, significance and impact of study: The results of RSM and ANN showed that all carbon and nitrogen sources tested had significant effect on growth rate (P-value < 0.05). In addition the use of RSM and ANN alongside each other provided a proper growth prediction model.

Aims: Postbiotic metabolites are metabolic compounds produced by probiotic lactic acid bacteria. These compounds produced by Lactobacillus sp. have been shown to be effective substitutes for in-feed antibiotic in livestock due to their broad inhibitory activity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of various carbon and nitrogen sources on the bacteriocin-inhibitory activity of postbiotic metabolites produced by Lactobacillus plantarum I-UL4. Methodology and results: The effects of various combinations of carbon and nitrogen sources on the bacteriocininhibitory activity (expressed as modified bacteriocin activity, MAU/mL) of postbiotic metabolites produced by L. plantarum I-UL4 were determined in basal media without micronutrients. The combination of glucose (20 g/L) and yeast extract (22 g/L) gave the best bacteriocin-inhibitory activity as compared to other combinations. Maximum bacteriocininhibitory activity of 1440 MAU/mL was achieved when 36.20 g/L of yeast extract was added as the sole nitrogen source in modified de Man, Rogosa and Sharpe (MRS) medium. The glucose concentration was further optimised to enhance the bacteriocin-inhibitory activity of the postbiotic metabolites. Lower bacteriocin-inhibitory activity was observed at 5, 10, 15 and 40 g/L in comparison to 20 g/L of glucose. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: Maximum bacteriocin-inhibitory activity of postbiotic metabolites was achieved at 1440 MAU/mL when 20 g/L of glucose and 36.20 g/L of yeast extract were added as the sole carbon and nitrogen sources respectively in the modified MRS medium. Optimisation of other micronutrients present in MRS media is necessary to further enhance the bacteriocin-inhibitory activity of postbiotic metabolites produced by L. plantarum IUL4.
Lactobacillus

Aims: This study aims to isolate lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from various food sources to obtain a potent strain against Listeria monocytogenes. Methodology and results: A total of 68 LAB isolates were selected to evaluate their antimicrobial activity against L. monocytogenes, a foodborne pathogen and a causative agent of listeriosis. The selected isolate was identified and characterized. The isolate C23 from cabbage showed the highest antimicrobial activity against L. monocytogenes ATCC 7644 with inhibition ability of 73.94%. The isolate was closely related to Lactobacillus brevis by 16S rRNA sequencing and subsequently deposited in GenBank with an accession number of MN880215, named as L. brevis C23. The cell free supernatant (CFS) of L. brevis C23 had high tolerance in low pH and was able to withstand up to 60 °C. The proteinaceous nature of the antimicrobial agent was also confirmed through the enzymatic test. The CFS was stable on different detergents as well as bile salts. Under transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the inhibitory effect of CFS against L. monocytogenes was proven by causing cell lysis. Conclusion, significance and impact of study Bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances (BLIS) of L. brevis C23 showed very promising potential in food industrial application.
Lactobacillales ; Listeria monocytogenes ; Foodborne Diseases ; Sprains and Strains