A THEMATIC REVIEW ON POTENTIAL ANTIMICROBIAL POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS OF BACTERIOCINS FROM LACTIC ACID BACTERIA

Nimra Riaz, Saleha Mahnoor Faheem and Muhammad Usman Ahmad*

ABSTRACT

The world-wide emergence of resistant pathogenic strains against the currently available antibiotics and the toxicity associated with them has compelled scientific community to increase their quests in finding other natural antimicrobial alternatives. In this regard recent discoveries on antimicrobial arsenals secreted by bacterial species against competing strains are gaining utmost importance not only because of their antimicrobial but also due to their anti-cancer potential. These natural bacterial arsenals are ribosomally synthesized low-molecular weight, heat stable, membrane active, proteolytically degradable and pore-forming, cationic peptides known as “Bacteriocins”. Owing to their anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-biofilm potential, bacteriocins seem to be the immediately available promising option for mitigation of AMR (antimicrobial Resistance) crisis and minimization of toxic effects of antibiotics on Host’s microbiome. The non-toxic and Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) status of Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) bacteriocins signifies their huge commercialization potential, and research on their biology is currently the most extensively studied subject of biotechnology. Their intrinsic food preservative and therapeutic potential can be enhanced by combinatorial approaches with other antimicrobial substances. However, their potential to be used as AGP (antimicrobial Growth Promoter) in animal production must also be evaluated. The initial half of this review focuses on the significance and biological aspects of LAB bacteriocins, while the latter half addresses the potential antimicrobial aspects of bacteriocins in various sectors.

Keywords: Bacteriocins, Antimicrobial Resistance, Biopreservation.