OBJECTIVETo study the production, purification and characterization of bacteriocin from Lactobacillus murinus AU06 isolated from marine sediments and its broad spectrum of inhibition against fish pathogens.

METHODSThe selected strain was used in production, purification and characterized of bacteriocin. In addition, purified bacteriocin was tested for its antimicrobial activity against fish pathogens.

RESULTSIn the present study, the bacteriocin production was found to be higher at 35 °C, pH 6.0 and was purified to 4.74 fold with 55. 38 U/mg of specific activity with the yield of 28.92%. The molecular weight of the purified bacteriocin was estimated as 21 kDa. The purified bacteriocin exhibited complete inactivation of antimicrobial activity when treated with proteinase K, pronase, chymotrypsin, trypsin, pepsin and papain. The purified bacteriocin exhibited broad inhibitory spectrum against both Gram positive and negative bacteria.

CONCLUSIONSIt is concluded that the ability of bacteriocin in inhibiting a wide-range of pathogenic bacteria is of potential interest for food safety and may have future applications in food preservative.