Production and Characterization of an Antifungal Compound (3-Phenyllactic Acid) Produced by Lactobacillus plantarum Strain

The Lactobacillus plantarum strain was isolated from grass silage that produces a broad spectrum of antifungal compound, active against food and feed-borne filamentous fungi in agar plate assay. Aspergillus fumigatus and Rhizopus stolonifer were the most sensitive among molds. No inhibitory activity could be detected against mold Penicillium roqueforti. Enhanced antifungal activity was observed at 30 °C in pH 6.5. Minimum inhibitory concentration values against fungal cultures were ranged from 6.5 to 12.0 mg/ml for commercial 3-phenyllactic acid. The production of antifungal compound phenyllactic acid (PLA), lactic acid, and acetic acid by L. plantarum strain was also investigated. Structure characterization of the antifungal compound was carried out by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and gas chromatography. The produced compound (PLA) acted as a fungistatic and delayed the growth of a variety of fungal contaminants.