Isolation, Identification, and Characterization of a Bacteriocin-Producing Enterococcus sp. from Kimchi and Its Application to Kimchi Fermentation

A bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacterium, which strongly inhibited the Lactobacillus plantarum recognized as an important acid spoilage microorganism in kimchi fermentation, was isolated from kimchi. From morphological, physiological, sugar fermentation, biochemical tests, and l6S rDNA sequencing results, the isolate was identified as an Enterococcus sp. and designated as Enterococcus sp. K25. The bacteriocin produced by Enterococcus sp. K25 inhibited several Gram-positive bacteria, including Lb. plantarum, whereas it did not inhibit Gram-negative bacteria and yeasts.