Rapid Concentration of Some Bacteriocin-like Compounds Using an Organic Solvent

A new solvent extraction method for isolation of bacteriocin-like compounds (BLCs) from bacterial culture broth was developed. Culture supernatant of Pediococcus acidilactici WRL-1 was mixed with 3 volumes of cold acetone and maintained at -20℃ for 2 h. The solvent and precipitate were separated by centrifugation. Most (95.2±2.5%) pediocin activity was found in the liquid phase and it was obtained by evaporation. This method was also an effective means of isolating other BLCs from cultures of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Bacillus licheniformis DJ-2. Other solvents (methanol, ethanol, and butanol) were also suitable toward this end.