ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZING BACTERIOCINPRODUCING LACTIC ACID BACTERIA FROM SOIL SAMPLE AND ASSESSING ITS EFFICACY AGAINST WOUND PATHOGENS

Abstract

Bacteriocins are ribosomally synthesized antimicrobial peptides, which are secreted to act against closely related bacterial species without affecting the producing strain. Bacteriocins of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been given much attention because some of them exhibit high activity against pathogenic organisms. LAB was isolated from soil and assessed for bacteriocin production and antimicrobial activity against wound pathogens like Klebsiella spp, Salmonella spp, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. using the agar-well diffusion method. Four different LAB species were isolated and identified using standard techniques. The isolates were cultured into Brain Heart Infusion medium for bacteriocin production. The result showed that all the test isolates were susceptible to 50% of the bacteriocin produced while resistant to 50% as well. The produced bacteriocin presents a broad spectrum of activity against possible pathogenic organisms. The identification of this substance active against important pathogens addresses an important aspect of antimicrobial resistance in treatment of wound infections.