Biomaterial Database

Biopreservation by lactic acid bacteria. 1996

M E Stiles

Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.

Biopreservation refers to extended storage life and enhanced safety of foods using the natural microflora and (or) their antibacterial products. Lactic acid bacteria have a major potential for use in biopreservation because they are safe to consume and during storage they naturally dominate the microflora of many foods. In milk, brined vegetables, many cereal products and meats with added carbohydrate, the growth of lactic acid bacteria produces a new food product. In raw meats and fish that are chill stored under vacuum or in an environment with elevated carbon dioxide concentration, the lactic acid bacteria become the dominant population and preserve the meat with a "hidden' fermentation. The same applies to processed meats provided that the lactic acid bacteria survive the heat treatment or they are inoculated onto the product after heat treatment. This paper reviews the current status and potential for controlled biopreservation of foods.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007778	Lactobacillus	A genus of gram-positive, microaerophilic, rod-shaped bacteria occurring widely in nature. Its species are also part of the many normal flora of the mouth, intestinal tract, and vagina of many mammals, including humans. Lactobacillus species are homofermentative and ferment a broad spectrum of carbohydrates often host-adapted but do not ferment PENTOSES. Most members were previously assigned to the Lactobacillus delbrueckii group. Pathogenicity from this genus is rare.
D008460	Meat	The edible portions of any animal used for food including cattle, swine, goats/sheep, poultry, fish, shellfish, and game.	Meats
D005285	Fermentation	Anaerobic degradation of GLUCOSE or other organic nutrients to gain energy in the form of ATP. End products vary depending on organisms, substrates, and enzymatic pathways. Common fermentation products include ETHANOL and LACTIC ACID.	Fermentations
D005516	Food Microbiology	The presence of bacteria, viruses, and fungi in food and food products. This term is not restricted to pathogenic organisms: the presence of various non-pathogenic bacteria and fungi in cheeses and wines, for example, is included in this concept.	Microbiology, Food
D005519	Food Preservation	Procedures or techniques used to keep food from spoiling.	Preservation, Food
D006094	Gram-Positive Bacteria	Bacteria which retain the crystal violet stain when treated by Gram's method.	Gram Positive Bacteria
D001430	Bacteriocins	Substances elaborated by specific strains of bacteria that are lethal against other strains of the same or related species. They are protein or lipopolysaccharide-protein complexes used in taxonomy studies of bacteria.	Bacteriocin,Lantibiotic,Lantibiotics
D013289	Streptococcaceae	A family of gram-positive non-sporing bacteria including many parasitic, pathogenic, and saprophytic forms.	Gaffkya homari
D019344	Lactic Acid	A normal intermediate in the fermentation (oxidation, metabolism) of sugar. The concentrated form is used internally to prevent gastrointestinal fermentation. (From Stedman, 26th ed)	Lactate,2-Hydroxypropanoic Acid,2-Hydroxypropionic Acid,Ammonium Lactate,D-Lactic Acid,L-Lactic Acid,Propanoic Acid, 2-Hydroxy-, (2R)-,Propanoic Acid, 2-Hydroxy-, (2S)-,Sarcolactic Acid,2 Hydroxypropanoic Acid,2 Hydroxypropionic Acid,D Lactic Acid,L Lactic Acid,Lactate, Ammonium